Sometimes young people under the age of 16 go to live in the care of an adult who’s not their parent or a close relative. That’s known as ‘private fostering’.

If a young person lives with you for more than 28 days, you need to let us know by calling 020 8303 7777. We’ll put you in touch with a social worker to see how we can help.

You don’t need to tell us if you’re the child’s:

• parent
• brother or sister
• aunt or uncle
• grandparent
• step-parent
• guardian or person with legal parental responsibility

But if you’re any other relative (even a cousin or great aunt), a friend of the family or someone who doesn’t know the family well but wants to help, give us a call.