Thurrock Council is supporting a national campaign to stop the amount of "private fostering".
Private Fostering Week, Monday 9 July to Friday 13 July, is a national campaign to raise the profile of private fostering.
Sue Little, portfolio holder for children and adult social care, said: “Thurrock Council will make sure all private fostering arrangements are safe for the child and that the carer receives the help and support, but we can only do this if we are aware of the arrangement.
"In Thurrock we have private foster carers who are doing an excellent job.
"However, many people looking after someone else’s child do not realise they are providing private foster care.
"I encourage people who know of a child being privately fostered or those looking after someone else’s child to work with the council to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child long term.”
For more information visit thurrock.gov.uk/private-fostering
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