During the last couple of years the Norwegian media have on several occasions highlighted failings in the Child Welfare Services, and in particular the failure of finding good foster carers for children and young people who need it. An additional discussion has been the use of private actors in the care market, a discussion that to some extent appears to be based on an assumption that private foster carers do not exist. In Scotland the Scottish Government recently approved the new Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009, and have during the last couple of years focused on improving the services for looked-after children and young people. In Scotland the private care market increased from six to 29 independent providers of foster care from 2004 to 2007. Both countries are struggling when it comes to finding enough foster carers. By comparing the two countries' regulations it could be claimed that Scottish regulations provide a better chance of safeguarding the quality in the work related to looked-after children and young people. (Contains 12 notes.)