At the end of March 2008, 1,330 children were reported as being privately fostered, compared to 1,250 in March 2007 and 980 in March 2006.
But the British Association for Adoption & Fostering said nobody knows how many children are privately fostered because carers fail to notify their local authority when a private fostering arrangement begins.
David Holmes, chief executive of BAAF, said: "The rise in notifications is a sign that awareness of private fostering may be growing, which is encouraging but still not enough." However, Holmes was clear on the failings of councils: "While some local authorities and their partners have been making strong progress, others need to raise their game."
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