The survey of 1,200 Londoners included 200 professionals who come into regular contact with children, and only 18 per cent of these professionals could give a definition of private fostering. Those surveyed included teachers, teaching assistants, doctors and nurses.
According to the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF), which commissioned the YouGov survey, professionals play a vital role in identifying privately fostered children.
They should explain to carers their responsibility to notify the arrangements to local authorities and should tell authorities of the arrangements if carers are reluctant to.
David Holmes, BAAF's chief executive, said: "It is vital that every professional who comes into contact with children understands what private fostering is and notifies where appropriate."
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