You can read our statement on suffolk.gov.uk.


You can read our statement on suffolk.gov.uk.

If you are concerned about the safety of a child or have safeguarding concerns, contact Customer First on 0808 800 4005.
Private fostering could be:
The Private Fostering Act 2005 states that we need to make sure Privately Fostered children are properly looked after. If you know of a child who is living in a Private Fostering Arrangement, you must inform the Local Authority. You can do this by contacting the Kinship Team on 01473 265025 or by emailing the team at kinshipteam@suffolk.gov.uk. You can also contact the Kinship team for advice and guidance if you are unsure if the arrangement is Private Fostering.
You may be caring for a child who is a close family relative. This may not be Private Fostering, but the Kinship Team can offer help and advice.
Each arrangement may look different, and we can help you explore options that might be available to you.
As a Private Foster carer, you will not have parental responsibility. Parental responsibility is a term that means a person has legal rights and responsibilities relating to the child’s upbringing. This means you cannot make major decisions such as travel abroad, school choices and non-emergency medical treatment. Parents can delegate day-to-day decision making to a Private Foster Carer but will need to provide consent for major decisions.
Some Private Foster carers make the decision to seek a legal order that would grant them parental responsibility for the child if the arrangement is long-term. Some examples of this include a Special Guardianship Order or a Child Arrangement Order. The Kinship team can provide information about what these orders are but we are unable to offer legal advice. More information can also be found on the websites in the ‘find out more’ section of this webpage.
Parents maintain parental responsibility for the child and this means they remain financially responsible. There is no specific financial support available to Private Foster Carers from the Local Authority. You may be able to claim the same benefits as other parents including Child Benefit or Universal Credit.
More information can be found online:
More infomation about our Kinship Local Offer can be found online.
Here’s what some families in Suffolk say about their experience of Private Fostering:
I found the service good and good communication, very helpful and understanding. My child has thrived from the support given at a unsettling time.
Phone number: 01473 265025
For independent advice and information:
It’s important to note that private fostering sits under the umbrella of Kinship Care, and as professionals, we have a duty to ensure these children are safe, supported, and that their carers are aware of the support available.
Download the private fostering leaflet and poster which are designed to be shared with professionals and families. You can print these to help us spread awareness.
Do you have contacts in organisations (such as schools, health services, community groups, faith organisations, sports groups or charities) who might benefit from knowing more about Private Fostering?
If so, we’d love to connect with them to help raise awareness beyond the Local Authority. Please drop us an email or give us a call to share their details or for a discussion.
Together, we can ensure that no privately fostered child goes unnoticed or unsupported.