Knowledge of private fostering is dire
Sarah Cooper
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Vulnerable children in London are being put at risk by professionals who do not know what private fostering arrangements are, a survey by a leading fostering association has found.
The survey of 1,200 Londoners included 200 professionals who come into regular contact with children, and only 18 per cent of these professionals could give a definition of private fostering. Those surveyed included teachers, teaching assistants, doctors and nurses.
According to the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF), which commissioned the YouGov survey, professionals play a vital role in identifying privately fostered children.
They should explain to carers their responsibility to notify the arrangements to local authorities and should tell authorities of the arrangements if carers are reluctant to.
David Holmes, BAAF's chief executive, said: "It is vital that every professional who comes into contact with children understands what private fostering is and notifies where appropriate."
Private fostering relates to when a child under 16 is cared for by someone who is not a parent or close relative, through a private arrangement made between their parent and a carer, for 28 days or more.
Once informed of a private fostering arrangement the local authority social worker will check the suitability of an arrangement and make regular visits to ensure the child is well cared for. Some children in private fostering arrangements can also be at risk of abuse or mistreatment.
The survey offered people a number of definitions for private fostering. Just 18 per cent picked the correct definition.
Only 16 per cent were aware that when making arrangements, a parent or carer must notify the local authority in the area where the child is going to live and it is an offence not to do so.
"We need to ensure the needs of children in private fostering are met. It's a complex area but we all need to understand it better to make sure all these children are okay," said Holmes.
BAAF is holding a private fostering awareness day in London today (Wednesday 23 January) where it will launch the results of its survey.
SURVEY RESULTS
Of 200 professionals interviewed, just 18% knew the correct definition of private fostering.
