NEW CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REGISTER PRIVATE FOSTERING ARRANGEMENTS
Stowe Nine Churches Parish Council
Northamptonshire County Council is encouraging people who have a child living with them who is
not their own to register it as a private fostering arrangement.
Private fostering is when children up to the age of 16 living with someone other than a close relative,
guardian or person with parental responsibility for 30 days or more and the county council has a
statutory duty to record it.
Private foster carers can be a friend of the child’s family, or be someone who is willing to care for the
child of a family they do not know.
This could include:
Children and young people living apart from their families
minority ethnic children with parents working or studying in the UK
children with parents overseas
children living with host families for a variety of reasons
children on holiday exchanges
Those providing private fostering could be entitled to benefits and support they may not currently
be receiving.
The county council can also arrange professional support and advice for the guardians and the
child’s parents, and has a duty to ensure the child’s needs are being met.
County council cabinet member for children and families Cllr Matthew Golby said: “There are
occasions when someone may look after a child who isn’t their own, for example a family friend who
offers to help when a parent is going through a difficult time or a student from overseas who comes
to stay with a family friend or a distant relative.
“Most people won’t even recognise this as a private fostering arrangement, but by law we need to
know about it so that we can make sure the needs of the child, the parents and the guardians are
being fully met.
“That’s why we’re encouraging anyone who is involved in a private fostering arrangement, or knows
someone who it, to get in touch.”
To register a private fostering arrangement, people can call 0300 126 1000 or email
mash@northamptonshire.gcsx.gov.uk.
For more information about private fostering, visit www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/privatefostering.
ENDS
Contact Information
Linda Carter - Clerk
- 07530 963236
Find Stowe Nine Churches Parish Council
Stowe IX Churches, Church Stowe, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN7 4SG
Additional Information
The parish of Stowe Nine Churches is part of the Daventry district and comprises of two settlements, Church Stowe and Upper Stowe.