INSPECTORS have rated the county’s private foster service as good.

The Essex County Council service was inspected by Ofsted between January 8-10 and all aspects of the service were declared to be good.

Private fostering arrangements are arrangements made by parents of a child under-16, or 18 if disabled, and someone who is not a close relative to care for the child for more than 28 days.

Councils have a duty to raise awareness of the need to notify the council about these arrangements. The council then visits and assesses the arrangement to see if it is suitable and offers the carer, parents and child support during the stay.