A NEW campaign to ensure children who go to live with friends or acquaintances stay safe is being launched in Southampton on Monday.

Council bosses believe dozens of children throughout the city are living away from home with friends or extended family members such as cousins or great aunts.

They want to try and find where these children in such ‘private fostering’ arrangements are so that they can carry out visits to check youngsters are safe and well.

Council bosses are reminding parents that they must inform its children’s services department if their child is placed with friends or extended family for more than 28 days.

The private foster carer must also inform children’s services before or when they start looking after another person’s child. Councillor Peter Baillie, Cabinet Member for children’s services and learning, said: “Most of these arrangements work out really well for the children and families.

“Local authorities do not have to formally approve or register the private foster carers, but we do have a duty to give advice and satisfy ourselves that children are being looked after.”

Anyone who has made or is thinking about a private fostering arrangement should call the city council on 023 8083 3336.