Private fostering is a private arrangement made between a parent and a responsible adult for the care of a child under the age of 16 (under 18 if disabled). The person who will be looking after the child is not a parent or close relative of the child, and the arrangement is planned to last for at least 28 days. As defined by the Children Act 1989, a close relative is a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, a stepparent (including through civil partnership) or a brother or sister.
CoramBAAF would like to support a better understanding of this often hidden group of children. Therefore, we launched a Private Fostering Survey in July 2024, as a first attempt to gather some basic data about the national picture from our members.
To stay informed about our work, subscribe to CoramBAAF News and sign up to our Private Fostering Awareness Day mailing list.
Read the findings and analysis report
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Join our Practice Forum
CoramBAAF’s Private Fostering Practice Forum provides a unique opportunity to discuss professional practice and share knowledge and expertise with colleagues. The forums will help you to keep up-to-date about national policy and law, contribute to policy development, and refer topics and examples of good practice to CoramBAAF’s advisory committees.
Find out morePrivate Fostering Awareness Day 2025 | Save the date
Annually on the first Wednesday in November, CoramBAAF hosts Private Fostering Awareness Day! Add Wednesday 5 November 2025 to your diary. CoramBAAF initiated a Private Fostering Awareness Day to raise awareness of this often overlooked group of children.
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