394. Local authority's duty to ensure the welfare of privately fostered children is safeguarded.

It is the duty of every local authority1 to satisfy itself that the welfare of children who are or are proposed to be privately fostered2 within its area is being, or will be, satisfactorily safeguarded and promoted, and to secure that such advice is given to those concerned with the children as appears to the authority to be needed3. In carrying out this function the local authority must, on being notified of a proposal to foster a child privately, arrange for an officer