I am a professional and know of a child in a private fostering arrangement. What should I do?

Many professionals who work with or who come into contact with children may come across private fostering situations. Professionals in education, health, housing and social care fields therefore have a shared responsibility to work with the service to ensure that all privately fostered children are well cared for and are safeguarded from harm. It is an offence not to inform the Council of a private fostering arrangement.

As a professional, if you know that a child is being privately fostered you should initially encourage the parent or carer of the child to notify us. You should follow this action up by contacting the Council yourself and reporting the situation.