UK
Council launches campaign to protect 'hidden' children
Sutton Council is launching an awareness drive to help safeguard vulnerable children in private fostering arrangements. The drive follows the release by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) of research revealing Londoners' widespread ignorance of what private fostering is.
Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (under 18 if disabled) is placed in the care of someone who is not their parent or close relative through a private agreement made between their parent and a carer, for four weeks or more.
Close relative is defined as step-parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether of full blood, half blood or by marriage). When making private fostering arrangements a parent and carer must notify the local authority in the area where the child is going to live. Failure to do so is an offence.
Children living in these arrangements who are unknown to the local authority are more open to abuse or neglect, says the council. Officials are urging parents and private foster carers to notify the local authority in the area where the child is living. Crucially, professionals who come into regular contact with children and young people – such as teachers, doctors and youth workers – can also play a vital role in identifying privately fostered children and keeping them safe.
Sutton Council says it was notified of five private fostering arrangements in the year beginning April 1 2006, but it believes there are other children living with private foster carers who it knows nothing about.
Cllr Tony Brett Young, lead member for children, young people and learning services, says: "Our message is simple: If you think you might be privately fostering, get in touch with us now – it is against the law not to do so and you may be entitled to benefits and support.
"If your child is living with someone outside your immediate family, or you are in the process of arranging this, you should notify the council in the area where the child is going to live.
"If you work with children and young people and think you may know a privately fostered child, talk to their carer. If they are reluctant to tell the local authority, you should let us know instead. If we do not know about these children, they remain hidden and we are powerless to safeguard them."
The appeal launched today is the first London-wide private fostering awareness day coordinated by the BAAF.
David Holmes, Chief Executive of BAAF, says: "Private fostering arrangements are made for many reasons and can be a solution to some family situations, such as a teenager who has fallen out with their parents and goes to stay with a friend, or a child who is placed overseas for their education.
"However, tragically, some children and young people end up living with people who do not have their best interests at heart. For example, children who have been trafficked or those who have been sent here, in good faith, by parents who believe their child will have better opportunities in the UK, but in reality the child may be mistreated or abused.
"It is essential local authorities know where they are and who they are living with. We believe there could be hundreds – or even thousands – of children being privately fostered in London, who are unknown to local authorities. We suspect that in some areas local authorities are only informed about a fraction of cases."
Once a local authority knows about a private fostering agreement, a social worker will check the suitability of the arrangement and continue to make regular visits to make sure the child is safe and well cared for, as well as offering information and support to carers. The council has the power to remove a child from a private foster care placement if there are concerns for the child's welfare.
Michelle Blackwell
24 January 2008
