Have you agreed to have someone else's child stay with you? Are you a parent who has asked someone to take in your child? Do you think this arrangement may go on for 28 days or more, even with occasional breaks?

If the answer to these questions is 'yes' you may have made a private fostering arrangement.

This applies to all young people aged under 16 and all disabled young people aged under 18. It applies to all children living in the UK no matter which country they come from – even if they plan to return home one day.

It is not private fostering if a child goes to stay with a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, a brother or sister or a stepparent. It is not private fostering if the child is just going to be away for a one-off period of a few days or even a week or two.

If you have made a private fostering arrangement you must do the following:

• If you are the parent or carer then you must tell Children's Services six weeks before the child moves in
• If the child is already living with the carer or about to arrive then let them know immediately
• If you are in any doubt about whether or not what you are doing is private fostering, call for advice
• If you have any concerns about the welfare of any child don't delay call now
• If you work with young people and families and become aware of a private fostering arrangement you should advise the parent or carer to inform Children's Services and you should pass on their details