Are you looking after someone else's child?
Is your child living away from home for more than 28 days?
If so, you need to let the Council know
Sometimes parents or guardians make a private agreement with someone, who is not a close relative, to look after their children for various reasons.
If the child is under the age of 16 (under 18 if disabled) and is living with the temporary carer for 28 days or more - this is called private fostering.
If you think you might be privately fostering, or if your child is being privately fostered, the law says you must notify the local authority in the area where the child is living - failure to do so is an offence.
For more information on private fostering download the leaflet "What you need to know about private fostering" (498KB, PDF file) or telephone 020 8496 3000 or pop into your nearest Waltham Forest Direct (WFD) shop, addresses below.
WFD Leyton
774-776 High Road
Leyton, E10 6AE
WFD Leytonstone
819 High Road
Leytonstone, E11 1HQ
WFD Walthamstow
137 Hoe Street
Walthamstow, E17 4RT
