Torbay Council is taking part in the national campaign: 'Somebody else's child; everybody's responsibility' 22 - 28 February in partnership with the British Association for Adoption & Fostering which aims to raise awareness about private fostering.

Many people find themselves looking after someone else's child without realising that they may be involved in Private Fostering which is an arrangement when someone who is not a direct relative cares for another person's child for 28 days or more. The parent and the carer are legally required to notify the council so that Children's Services can ensure that the child is being properly looked after.

It isn't Private Fostering if the person who is looking after the child is a close relative, an approved foster carer or if the arrangement was made by the council's Children's Services department.  Also, it isn't Private Fostering if the young person stays for less than 28 days or if they are 16 or over (18 or over if they are disabled).

People become involved in Private Fostering for all kinds of reasons, they may be a friend of the child's family offering support during a difficult period or they may be taking in overseas students.

The council is asking the general public and in particular, people who work with children, to be aware of private fostering and notify them immediately if they think they know of such an arrangement.

For more information on private fostering visit www.torbay.gov.uk/privatefostering or www.somebodyelseschild.org.uk.