This research into private fostering was commissioned by the DCSF and carried out by a team from the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) and the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF). The purpose of the research was to inform the DCSF Advisory Group on Private Fostering in making its recommendations to Ministers on increasing notifications of private fostering arrangements.
The research had two broad aims: to collect evidence of the practices and procedures of local authorities in relation to private fostering arrangements, in order to inform thinking on how to increase notification rates; and to improve understanding of the characteristics and needs of privately fostered children, with particular reference to safeguarding issues.