Somerset Council urges notification of private fostering arrangements

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 06:22 · Archive

Somerset Council is urging families to notify it of private fostering arrangements to access support and ensure children's safety.

Somerset Council is raising awareness of private fostering ahead of Private Fostering Awareness Day on 4 November, urging families and carers to report arrangements to the council.

Private fostering applies when a child under 16, or under 18 with a disability, is cared for by someone who is not their parent or close relative for 28 consecutive days or more. According to Councillor Heather Shearer, lead member for children, families and education, people may not realise that an arrangement they have in place is considered private fostering.

The council says notification is important to ensure children are safe and well cared for. By informing the council, families and carers can access advice, guidance and ongoing support. A private foster carer named Kirsty shared her experience, saying the arrangement 'has been the most rewarding thing in my life' and that she had not expected the amount of support available, with a social worker 'there when we need her'.

How it is being reported

• Somerset families encouraged to report private fostering arrangementsSomerset Council is raising awareness of private fostering and urging families and carers to seek advice and support.Bridgwater Mercury · 31 Oct, 05:00
• Somerset Council urges families to report private fostering arrangementsSomerset Council is raising awareness of private fostering and urging families and carers to seek advice and support.Somerset County Gazette · 31 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Somerset Council · Heather Shearer · Somerset

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log