Clampdown on private fostering

A search has been launched today to find children in privately-arranged foster care in Staffordshire.

Staffordshire County Council believes that many arrangements have been made without its knowledge.

Changes in the law now mean that carers must inform the local authority.

Councillor Peter Beresford, who is the county council's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Private fostering is perfectly legal, but carers may not know that recent changes in the law mean that they have to let us know.

"This means that we can ensure the child is kept safe, as well as support the carers," continued the councillor. As part of Private Fostering Week, the county council had set up a mobile unit in Market Square, Stafford, to explain changes in legislation.

The council wants anyone who is currently caring for someone else's children to get in touch with them as soon as possible.

Private fostering involves children: under 16-years-old; under 18 years if disabled; those cared for; and living for more than 28 days with an adult who is not a relative.

Carers could be members of an extended family or friends.

Councillor Beresford said that keeping children in Staffordshire healthy and safe was one of the council's priorities. He went on to say: "It is important that everyone realises that we are all responsible.

"Privately fostered children can be a particularly vulnerable group," he added.

It is estimated that there could be thousands of children in private foster care across the country.

However the county council is not sure how many there are in the county.

Further information about private fostering and changes to legislation, as well as what to do if someone is privately fostering children is available from the county council's website.

See www.staffordshire.gov.uk/privatefostering for more details.