Caring for Children you Already Know

When children and young people can't live at home, they often find loving homes with relatives or friends. These arrangements can be informal or formal. Our team is committed to supporting carers and ensuring children feel safe, happy, and well-cared for.

Friends and Family Fostering

Private fostering

When children and young people can’t live at home, they often find loving homes with relatives or friends. Whether these arrangements are informal or more formal, our team can help make sure both you and the child have the support needed. 

 

What is Private Fostering?

Private Fostering is when a child is cared by someone who isn’t a close relative for 28 days or longer. A close relative means either, a step-parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt or uncle – either by blood or marriage. A child in this context is anyone under the age of 16 or a disabled young person under 18. All private fostering arrangements must be reported to the City of Doncaster Council. In principle this should be before the arrangement is made but if this has not happened the arrangement should be reported immediately.

Why are children and young people fostered?

There are many reasons why children and young people are privately fostered. For example: • parent working long hours • parents’ ill health/ recovering from an illness • children or young people who are sent to this country for education or health care by their birth parents from overseas • children or young people who are living with a friend/boyfriend/girlfriend’s family as a result of parental separation, divorce or arguments at home • children or young people whose parents work or study long or antisocial hours • children or young people on school holiday exchanges that last more than 28 days • children or young people who are on sports or music sponsorships living away from their families Whatever the reason, it is the parents’ responsibility to decide that the arrangements are suitable for their child.

How can the council help?

When private fostering happens, it is the City of Doncaster Council’s responsibility to: • assess the suitability of the private foster carers. • make regular visits to the child and monitor the overall standard of care. • ensure that advice to carers, parents and the child is made available when needed. Parents still have parental responsibility for the child, which means they remain responsible financially and for making decisions for the child. However, the local authority is there to support, advise and signpost where further support can be accessed.

When should parents and private foster carers notify the local authority?

The parent/s (or those with parental responsibility) and the private foster carer have a duty to notify the local authority of the name and address of the private foster carer, six weeks before the start of the private fostering arrangement. If the arrangement is already in place, they must notify the local authority at once. If the arrangement is made in an emergency and is intended to last more than 28 days, this information should be provided within 48 hours of the child being placed.

How can I find out more?

You can find out more by getting in touch with our team by: You can speak with our team by: Calling: 01302 737777 Emailing: fosteringandadoption@doncaster.gov.uk

 

 

Kinship Care

Kinship care is when a child lives full-time or most of the time with a relative who isn’t their parent, such as a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or an older sibling.  

To make sure you are getting the right support, please let us know about your circumstances.

Getting support

You can find out more by getting in touch with our Kinship team by calling 01302 737 789 Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm or emailing fosteringandadoption@doncaster.gov.uk

Special Guardianship Orders (SGO)

A special guardianship order is usually someone with a close relationship with the child, such as a family member, former foster carer or family friend who has been legally appointed by the court to care for the child following a special guardianship order (called an SGO for short).

Why apply for a Special Guardianship Order?

Unlike adoption, a Special Guardianship Order will not remove parental responsibility from the child’s birth parent. The special guardian will have the responsibility of day-to-day decisions about the child, but they will need to consult with the birth parents at times were key decisions are being made such as changing their name, moving overseas or agreeing on adoption.

Who can apply for an Special Guardianship Order?  

Special guardians are normally a child’s relative, often this may be a grandparent, but it can also be other family members or the child’s current foster carer. 

You do not have to be related to the child to apply for a Special Guardianship Order and it will depend on your own situation. In some cases, you may need to apply to the family court for permission to apply for an SGO. You will need to care for the child or young person for a year before applying.

Apply for an Special Guardianship Order?

You will need to make an application to the court for a Special Guardianship Order. The court will tell the social worker to begin the process of your assessment as a prospective special guardian.

As part of this process, references will be needed from people you know, both personally and professionally. You will also need a Disclosure and Baring Service check (known as a DBS for short), along with anyone else in your household who is aged over 18 years.

Financial support  

If you are caring for a child who would otherwise have come into the local authority care, you may be entitled to financial support. A means-tested financial assessment will be undertaken to confirm the level of payments you may receive.

You will also be entitled to apply for child benefits and child tax credits when the child is living with you under an SGO. 

What support may look like? 

In addition to financial assessment, there will be an assessment of need undertaken and an SGO support plan created.

Support could include:

  • Family support visits
  • Tailored carer support – including the opportunities to complete courses
  • Advice on new or existing contact arrangements
  • Access to support groups
  • Therapy services
  • Help and advice if you are worried about home or education settings
  • Access to all SGO activities and events

Getting support

You can find out more by getting in touch with the SGO team by calling 01302 735 551 Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm or emailing CYPF.SGOteam@doncaster.gov.uk

 

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Call our fostering team on 01302 737 789 or email FosterFor@doncaster.gov.uk We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. 

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