Looking After Someone Else's Child?

Are you looking after someone else's child? For example, are you looking after a friend's child while they work away from home? Has your neighbour had trouble coping with a new baby and asked you to look after it for a few weeks? Have friends from abroad asked you to let their child stay with you while they attend school here? If so, this is private fostering and you have a legal responsibility to inform your local authority.

The Scottish Executive has produced two information leaflets giving guidance for people who are caring for someone else's child and on the local authority's responsibilities:

• Are You Looking After Someone Else's Child? leaflet (pdf 699kb)
• Private Fostering Responsibilities of Local Authorities leaflet (pdf 1000kb)

If you have any questions about the information contained in the leaflets please contact your local Children and Families Social Work Team.