A FREE workshop will take place on Friday, 6 March advising professionals, volunteers and members of the public on private fostering.

Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16, or 18 if disabled, is being cared away from their home by someone who is not a parent or close relative for 28 days or more.

The free session is taking place in Committee Room 2, Civic Offices, Grays from 10am to 12pm.

Cllr Sue Little, Portfolio Holder for Children's and Adult Social Care, said: "This is a great opportunity for attendees to learn key skills in how to identify and recognise they are involved in private fostering and the processes to take when they are working with children in a private fostering arrangement.

"Private fostering is an important and valuable part of child protection and the council has a statutory responsibility to assess and monitor all private fostering arrangements, ensuring there is support for all in the process. want to make sure that all children cared for under this arrangement are kept safe, have the best care available and that all private foster carers receive suitable support too."

For more information and to book your place on the free workshop email: [email protected]

For more information on private fostering click on the red information button below.