Private Fostering Arrangements
By law, Educatius are required to arrange a ‘Private Fostering Arrangement’ for any student who will be under the age of 16 for more than 28 days of their programme. This page aims to explain the key points of Private Fostering to students and their parents.
What is Private Fostering?
When a child/student under the age of 16 is living in the care of someone who is not their parent or relative, for a period of longer than 28 days, a Private Fostering Arrangement applies. This regulation helps to protect children and young people by assuring the quality of the care being provided by their hosts.
How is a Private Fostering Arrangement different from a normal Host Family placement?
Essentially, Educatius are required to notify the Local Authority of any Private Fostering Arrangement. This is not necessary in the case of hosts hosting students over 16.
The notification to the Local Authority kickstarts a number of additional checks to ensure that the host family is suitable.
What does this mean for natural parents/legal guardians?
The Local Authority will likely ask for contact with parents prior to the start of the programme. They are required to check that parents are in agreement with their child travelling abroad and living with the host family. They also want to check that parents understand the responsibilities of the hosts.
Please note that the Private Foster Carer does not have parental responsibility. The natural parents/legal guardians maintain their parental rights and responsibilities throughout.
What does this mean for students?
The student will be allocated a Social Worker by the Local Authority. This person will carry out additional checks of the student’s host family and will help to make sure that they are well looked after. The Social Worker will be in contact with the student during their programme, usually arranging to meet them at school to check in.
What does this mean for the Host Family?
All Educatius host families, whether they are hosting students under 16 or not, are required to complete suitability interviews, home safety checks, and criminal record checks prior to being approved as a host family. Those families who will be hosting under 16’s will be contacted by the allocated Social Worker. They will conduct an independent visit to the home to check for suitability. They will speak with the host family to ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities and are appropriate carers for a child. The Local Authority will also carry out their own criminal record checks of household members.
Educatius have lots of experience in welcoming students under the age of 16 into the UK. The Private Fostering Arrangement is in place to safeguard the student and is not something to be concerned about.
What is Private Fostering?
When a child/student under the age of 16 is living in the care of someone who is not their parent or relative, for a period of longer than 28 days, a Private Fostering Arrangement applies. This regulation helps to protect children and young people by assuring the quality of the care being provided by their hosts.
How is a Private Fostering Arrangement different from a normal Host Family placement?
Essentially, Educatius are required to notify the Local Authority of any Private Fostering Arrangement. This is not necessary in the case of hosts hosting students over 16.
The notification to the Local Authority kickstarts a number of additional checks to ensure that the host family is suitable.
What does this mean for natural parents/legal guardians?
The Local Authority will likely ask for contact with parents prior to the start of the programme. They are required to check that parents are in agreement with their child travelling abroad and living with the host family. They also want to check that parents understand the responsibilities of the hosts.
Please note that the Private Foster Carer does not have parental responsibility. The natural parents/legal guardians maintain their parental rights and responsibilities throughout.
What does this mean for students?
The student will be allocated a Social Worker by the Local Authority. This person will carry out additional checks of the student’s host family and will help to make sure that they are well looked after. The Social Worker will be in contact with the student during their programme, usually arranging to meet them at school to check in.
What does this mean for the Host Family?
All Educatius host families, whether they are hosting students under 16 or not, are required to complete suitability interviews, home safety checks, and criminal record checks prior to being approved as a host family. Those families who will be hosting under 16’s will be contacted by the allocated Social Worker. They will conduct an independent visit to the home to check for suitability. They will speak with the host family to ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities and are appropriate carers for a child. The Local Authority will also carry out their own criminal record checks of household members.
Educatius have lots of experience in welcoming students under the age of 16 into the UK. The Private Fostering Arrangement is in place to safeguard the student and is not something to be concerned about.