Survey shows most people unaware of private fostering

The British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) surveyed 1,979 adults in England and Wales, and found 22 per cent would not act if an unrelated child appeared next door, while seven per cent would not act if the child disappeared and four per cent said they would do nothing even if they thought the child was at risk.

Men were more likely to do nothing that women, with 26 per cent of men saying they would not take any action compared to 19 per cent of women.

Most people said their reluctance to act was because they felt it was "none of their business".

BAAF commissioned the research from ICM as part of its campaign to spotlight private fostering, Somebody Else's Child.

The charity wants the wider community to learn how to recognise the signs of private fostering arrangements, due to concerns that lack of awareness might leave some children more at risk of abuse. It said children suddenly appearing and disappearing were signs of private fostering.

David Holmes, chief executive of BAAF, said: "What concerns us is that when asked, only 26% of people knew what private fostering was. We suspect that even fewer know that the local council needs to be informed of these arrangements.

He added: "While most children in private fostering situations will be well cared for, some may not be. It is those children we are concerned about."