DUDLEY'S private foster carers have been urged to seek advice and information from Dudley Council.

Private fostering is the arrangement made between the parents of a child, under 16 years or 18 if the child is disabled, and the private foster carers for 28 days or more.

Private foster carers may be members of the youngsters extended family or the parents of a friend of the child. .All must inform the local authority of their arrangements.

Cllr Liz Walker, cabinet member for children's services, said: "I would encourage any parent who has placed or is planning to place their child in a private fostering arrangement, or anyone who thinks they may be a private foster carer, to contact the council and notify us of the arrangement."

To confirm the council's current arrangments call children's services - 01384 814225.