CYP Now - Opinion: Debate - Should smokers be allowed to become fosterparents?

Dundee City Council announced last week that it has introduced a non-smoking policy for foster carers in agreement with the families themselves, in order to protect the health of the children that are being cared for.

YES - Kevin Williams, chief executive, Tact

However, safeguards need to be put in place, like Dundee have, with nosmoking in front of children and no smoking in the home where childrenare under school age and then only in a designated, well-ventilatedroom.

Tact has a similar policy. It is also important to offer support andhelp to carers who wish to give up smoking. The dangers of secondarysmoking are well documented and the health of children should be theprime consideration.

If carers smoke it is an issue that needs consideration when making aplacement.

YES - Marcelle Ibbetson, service development manager, NCH

NCH acknowledges the health risks of smoking on the health ofnon-smokers.

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