Private Fostering Start An introduction

Menu Why is it important? Definition Statistics Our procedures Whose responsibility is it? What safeguards are in place? Our procedures Frequently asked questions Knowledge check End

Introduction Many children who are privately fostered are not known to be privately fostered by the services, institutions and people working with them. Privately fostered children are much more vulnerable because of their invisibility, and because services do not always record and report information about them. Under new regulations identifying, recording and reporting children who may be privately fostered is everyone’s responsibility. The responsibility falls on all people or agencies whose work brings them into contact with children and young people. Menu Next

Definition ‘A private fostering arrangement is essentially one that is made privately (that is to say without the involvement of a local authority) for the care of a child under the age of 16 (under 18 if disabled) by someone other than a parent or close relative with the intention that it should last for 28 days or more… The period for which the child is cared for and accommodated by the private foster carer should be continuous, but that continuity is not broken by the occasional short break.’ National Minimum Standards for Private Fostering DfES 2005 Menu Next

Definition 2 What does this mean? A privately fostered child is a child or young person looked after by someone other than a parent, step-parent, sibling, aunt, uncle or grandparent who has no parental responsibility for a period of more than 28 days. Menu Next

Definition 3 the parent gives informed consent A private fostering arrangement is only legitimate if: the parent gives informed consent Buckinghamshire County Council knows about, and agrees with, the arrangement. It is not private fostering when children live with, and are cared for by, their aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandparents or step-parents. Note For some older children, especially teenagers, their parents know where they are and, while not ‘consenting’, choose not to intervene. Effectively this may be classed as private fostering. Menu Next

Definition 4 Examples of private fostering arrangements are: a child or young person from overseas staying with a UK host family for educational or health reasons a child or young person unable to live with their family for a period of time, for example due to ill health of parents, parental work commitments or care concerns a teenager temporarily estranged from their parents a child at boarding school who lives with another family in the holidays for more than two weeks Menu Next

Statistics Key facts for year ending March 2011 1,649 children were reported as being cared for and living in private fostering arrangements in England – an increase on previous years. 60% of privately fostered children were born in the UK – a decrease of 5% on 2010 The number of privately fostered children born in Africa was 6% - a drop from 10% in 2010 Menu Next

National Statistics Private fostering arrangements by place of birth March 2011 Other includes Middle East, Oceania, Canada, Central America and South America Menu Next

National Statistics Private fostering arrangements by age March 2011 Source: Department for Education 2011 Menu Next

Local Statistics 6 Notifications of new PF arrangements 3 white British;1 Asian British; 1 Chinese; I Russian 4 Over 11; 2 under 10. 4 female; 2 male 0 visited within 7 days 3 visited every 6 weeks 3 ended during year. Most returning to parents

Why is it important? Privately fostered children are often made more vulnerable by their living circumstances and by their status, as they are often not identified and made known to their local authority. In his report on residential care services Lord William Utting said that: ‘private fostering is among the least controlled and most open to abuse of all the environments in which children live away from home.’ Menu Next

Victoria Climbié was brought to the UK in April 1999 from the Ivory Coast by her great-aunt Therese-Marie Kouao. Victoria had been brought to the UK in a private fostering arrangement to have the opportunity for a good education. She died on 25 February 2000. The Home Office Pathologist found 128 separate injuries on her body and stated that it was: “the worst case of child abuse I’ve encountered.” In his enquiry Lord Laming highlighted concerns about children in private foster care. Subsequent guidance has emphasised the duty of local authorities to safeguard privately fostered children. Menu Next

Whose responsibility is it to report private fostering arrangements? It is the responsibility of everybody whose work brings them in to contact with children and young people to report private fostering arrangements. That means you! Menu Next

What safeguards are in place to protect privately fostered children? We use The National Minimum Standards for Private Fostering These say that: all local authorities (like BCC) have a duty to assess the suitability of a private fostering arrangement all privately fostered children should have a named worker who visits them regularly the parent of the privately fostered child retains parental responsibility during the private fostering arrangement all services have a responsibility to:  promote awareness of private fostering  actively identify and report privately fostered children  act to safeguard and support privately fostered children. Menu Next

Frequently asked questions I know a privately fostered child, but they seem fine – do I need to tell BCC? I have concerns about the status of a child - what should I do? I don’t work for BCC – is this my responsibility? What if an arrangement BCC knows about changes? Will telling BCC breach a young person’s confidentiality? Where do I get more information? Menu

I have concerns about the status of a child, but I’m not sure if it’s private fostering arrangement, what should I do? If you become aware of any private fostering arrangements, or an arrangement that you think may be private fostering, you should tell the BCC First Steps Team by calling 0800 160 1900 or emailing cypfirstrepsonse@buckscc.gov.uk If you are not sure and would like to discuss the situation with a member of our team email firststep@bucks.gov.uk FAQ

I don’t work for BCC social care services – isn’t it their responsibility to gather this information? It is everyone’s responsibility to report any circumstances which may be private fostering. Victoria Climbié died because individuals, teams, agencies and systems failed to gather and share information. BCC is responsible for following up reports and assessing the suitability of the arrangement and visiting the child regularly. FAQ

I know of a child being privately fostered, but they seem fine – do I have to tell BCC? Yes, you do. We cannot assume that everything is fine without checking. BCC has a duty to assess the suitability of the arrangement to ensure that the child’s welfare and safety is being promoted and that the child’s needs are being met. The death of Victoria Climbié while being privately fostered shows that if situations are not checked children may be in danger. FAQ

What if an arrangement that BCC knows about changes? BCC should be notified about any significant changes to a private fostering arrangement within 48 hours. Significant changes include:  change of address  someone joining or leaving the household  any household member having a court conviction, a disqualification from fostering or any limits on how many children they can foster  the child leaving the private foster carer’s address  the death of the child. FAQ

I know about a young person in a private fostering arrangement – will telling BCC breach their confidentiality? You will not be breaching confidentiality by notifying BCC, you will be ensuring that the child or young person is safe. If you believe a child is in a private fostering arrangement you must tell the BCC First Response Team on 0845 460 0001 or email cypfirstrepsonse@buckscc.gov.uk If it is appropriate you should tell the child or young person that you are contacting us. FAQ

Where do I get more information? Contact the BCC First Steps on 0800 160 1900 or email firststep@bucks.gov.uk If you think a child may be living in a private fostering arrangement email cypfirstresponse@buckscc.gov.uk. Tel 0845 460 0001 Visit http://dscb.info/children-and-young-people/ for a DVD on Private Fostering produced by BAAF Visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/social-care/children-and-families/fostering/privatefostering for BCC information on Private Fostering See also British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) www.BAAF.org.uk Rights 4 Me www.rights4me.org Somebody Else’s Child www.privatefostering.org.uk/profs FAQ

Knowledge check 1 Lucy is 12. She has been spending a lot of time with her friend Kelly’s family because her mum and dad are going through an unpleasant divorce and she finds the arguments unsettling. Lucy has asked if she can live permanently with Kelly’s family. Lucy’s mum and dad think this is a good idea as the disruption is starting to affect her school work. Would this be a private fostering arrangement? Yes No

Correct! Lucy will be staying with someone who is not a close relative and the arrangement is likely to last for more than 28 days – so this would be a private fostering arrangement. Menu Next

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Knowledge check 2 Steven is 5. His mum has gone in to hospital for an operation and the doctors have advised her that she will not be able to look after Steven for up to two months while she is recovering. Steven will stay with his grandmother until his mum is well. Would this be a private fostering arrangement? Yes No

Correct! Steven will be staying with a grandparent so this arrangement would be kinship fostering and not private fostering. Menu Next

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Knowledge check 3 Baako is 15. He has come to the UK to study and learn English. His parents have arranged for him to live with an English host family for the duration of his schooling. He plans to visit his family every three weeks. Would this be a private fostering arrangement? Yes No

Correct! Even though Baako will be seeing his parents at intervals of less than 28 days, this would still be a private fostering arrangement because ‘continuity is not broken by the occasional short break’. Menu Next

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Knowledge check 4 Carrie is 17 and has a mild learning disability. She wants to move in with her boyfriend and his family and her parents have no problem with this. Would this be a private fostering arrangement? Yes No

Correct! Although Carrie is 17 this would still be a private fostering arrangement because she has a disability. Menu

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