Most children spend some time staying with relatives or friends. Sometimes a temporary arrangement can become more long term and when it does, it may be classed as a private fostering arrangement. Private fostering is when a child up to the age of 16 (or 18 if the child has a disability) is placed for more than 28 days in the care of someone who is not a close relative, a guardian or someone with parental responsibilities. If you are involved in this kind of arrangement and live in Middlesbrough, the law says that you must notify the Council about it. For more information, please look at our list of frequently asked questions below.