KENT County Council (KCC) is urging those who have been looking after someone else’s child for more than 28 days to notify it.

The arrangement is known as private fostering and, by law, KCC needs to be told about it.

It follows the British Association for Adoption and Fostering’s campaign Somebody Else’s Child this week.

The campaign aims to reduce the number of un-notified private fostering arrangements.

KCC cabinet member for specialist children’s services, Jenny Whittle, said: "There are many reasons why people privately foster and I appreciate the invaluable role they play.

“I would encourage anyone privately fostering to notify us or, if you know someone who is, to pass on that information.

“It is a legal requirement to do so but for me it is equally important that we know about it, so we can provide any advice or support.

“It’s about making sure children are happy and safe wherever they live.”

For more information, go to kent.gov.uk/privatefostering