The Care Inspectorate has welcomed a campaign by the Scottish Government to raise awareness of private fostering.  

 Research by its care inspectors in 2010 found just 16 such arrangements were registered by local authorities, as is required, when the true number is thought to be in the hundreds.  You can read about the campaign here

Annette Bruton, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate, said:    

“We warmly welcome this campaign because there is a profound obligation to keep young people safe at all times. 

"Our work in this area suggests that there is significant under-reporting of private fostering arrangements to local councils.

"Private fostering often happens at difficult times in the lives of young people, but that can’t reduce the need for proper monitoring of these arrangements to ensure the safety of often vulnerable children.”