Private Fostering Briefing

Session objectives: To understand what is meant by the term ‘private fostering’ To have more confidence in recognising a private fostering arrangement To be clear on the responsibilities of those involved and understand the referral process. Introduction - Local Authorities do not formally approve or register Private Foster Carers. However, it is the duty of Local Authorities to satisfy themselves that the welfare of children who are, or will be, privately fostered within their area is being, or will be, satisfactorily safeguarded and promoted.

What is ‘private fostering’? A private care arrangement Involving a child under 16 (or 18 if disabled) By someone who is not a parent, close relative, or who holds parental responsibility For a period of 28 days or more. Private Fostering can be seen as a continuum – from an arranged school trip where there are little support needs to one where the child is at serious risk ( for example Victoria Climbie) Note: If the arrangement is for less than 28 days but is one of a series that all add up to 28 days or more then this may count as a Private Fostering Arrangement. The continuity of an arrangement is not broken by the occasional short break. For example if a child returned home one weekend in four, it would constitute a Private Fostering Arrangement. A Child is Not Privately Fostered Where the person has cared for him/her for a period of less than 28 days and does not intend to do so for any longer period; If the person caring for the child is a relative under the Children Act 1989 i.e. a parent, Grandparent, Brother, Sister, Uncle or Aunt (whether of full or half blood or by marriage) or a step-parent (including civil partnerships); If they are being Looked After by a Local Authority; Where the care is in premises which a parent, person with Parental Responsibility or close relative are living; Where the child is in the care of a person in accommodation provided by or on behalf of any voluntary organisation, in a care home, in a school in which they receive full-time education or in any health service hospital; Where the child is in the care of any person in compliance with an order under section 63(1) of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000; While a child is liable to be detained, or subject to guardianship under the Mental Health Act 1983; Where the child in placed for Adoption. Overarching responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the privately fostered child remains with the parent or other person with Parental Responsibility, the duty of Local Authority is to satisfy themselves that the welfare of children who are, or will be, privately fostered within their area is being, or will be, satisfactorily safeguarded and promoted.

Child C – aged 14 Child M – aged 16. Examples of two children who were recently recorded as privately fostered in the Wirral. Child C had a long period of inconsistent/transient living arrangements and behavioural issues. From the age of 1 he moved between the care of his maternal grandmother, maternal great grandparents his maternal cousin, a although his most consistent carer has been his maternal grandmother. With concerns around her use of alcohol he now resides with his great aunt – learning from this – he was in and out of private fostering as he moved between family members. He is now settled with his great aunt and intends to stay there long term Child Ms family had a long history with Social Care and the home situation deteriorated to a point where M chose to live away from the family home. His upbringing was challenging with many changes of address, rejection from his birth father, witnessing his mother in more than one abusive relationship and a poor relationship with his mother. M is now residing with a family friend who has known him all of his life and he wishes to live with on a permanent basis – learning from this – similar to first example, living in a chaotic upbringing. Was already known to services. Interestingly he referred to this family friend as ‘aunt’. It was only flagged up as private fostering when someone sought to establish if there was a family relationship, this could have been missed. In both cases they were recognised because they were already know to services. There will be many children living in these informal arrangements that are either not known about or are known about but not recognised as PF.

Responsibility of the private foster carers: To notify the Local Authority of any arrangements being entered into To agree with the parents the terms of the care including the duration of the care and any financial arrangements To engage in the safeguarding checks as required. Whilst the private foster carers and parents have a legal responsibility to report a private arrangement most of the time it will come to the local authority attention through a professional recognising it. Ofsted 2011 identified numbers were particularly low meaning people aren’t recognising it. There is a requirement to notify the Local Authority about any private fostering arrangement from any of the following: • The person with whom the child is, or will be privately fostered; • The parent, guardian, or person with Parental Responsibility; • Any other person involved in the arrangement. Private Foster Carers will be advised that they should keep information to share with parents and where appropriate the Local Authority. This could include: • Monitoring and updating the child's medical history; • Keeping a file of school reports; • Note the dates and means of contact with parents and other significant people in the child's life; • Maintaining a financial record of monies received on behalf of the child's upkeep; • Noting the dates and nature of social work visits; • Keeping a photograph album of significant events/people in the child's life.

Responsibility of the Local Authority: To assess suitability of arrangement To monitor and review the arrangement at regular intervals To promote awareness To provide support for families.

Assessment of suitability and review: Childs needs must be the focus Initial assessment Checks Follow up visits Reviews Parental advice and support Prohibition. - Voice of the child. Needs of the child are paramount. May need advocacy (Barnardos). May be involved in discussions (age appropriate) - The assessment is completed using the dimension headings of the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (2000) as a guide and in the first place a Social Work Assessment of Need and Strengths will identify if it is a private fostering arrangement and/or a Child in Need. Completed by social worker. Also encouraged to complete a fostering assessment at the same time. Initially assessed as a CIN. Is there a need for targeted services? If the arrangement is already in place then the social worker must visit within 24 hours, if not yet started social worker should visit the child within 7 days. The assessment will take into account the following: the intended duration, the wishes and feelings of the child, suitability of the proposed accommodation, suitability of other members of the household, arrangements for contact between the child and his/her parents, the agreed financial arrangements, consent to medical treatment, educational provision, decisions about the day to day care of the child and the immigration status of the child. - Wired provide advocacy for the private carers and will ask their views and feed into the reviews. - Checks for anyone living in the private fostering household who is 18 years or over: Enhanced DBS; Checks on their own records and other Local Authorities that may have been involved with the proposed Private Foster Carers and any other household members aged over 16 years; Education; Probation; OFSTED (provides information about any registration as childminders/child care register); All employers where the prospective Foster Carers have worked with children; Local police check and Police National Computer system prior to receiving Enhanced DBS. - Every privately fostered child must be visited by a Local Authority officer every 6 weeks after notification of the arrangement. The frequency of visits can only be reduced after a multi-agency review 12 months after notification and the visits must not be less than every 12 weeks. Six - monthly reviews of the Private Fostering Arrangement until the Private Fostering Arrangement ceases or they reach the age of 16 (18 if disabled). - The Social Worker will encourage the parents or person(s) with Parental Responsibility to complete the written agreement with the carer(s). This written agreement should address issues of medical consent, clear expectation of the Private Foster Carer's role, the parent's role, the role of the Local Authority, contact arrangements and any payments by the parents for maintenance of the child. - A prohibition can be imposed on persons who propose to foster privately, as well as to persons who are actually fostering a child privately.

Others responsibilities: Ask questions about family arrangements Gather information Make a referral to the Integrated Front Door (0151 6062008) When anyone becomes aware of an existing or a proposed Private Fostering Arrangement for a child and the child is or will be resident within Wirral, a referral must be made to the integrated front door (previously CADT/MASH team) who will then refer to the local social care team. The referral must have as much information as possible including child's name, date of birth, gender, duration of stay, address of arrangement, carer name, parent name. In your role how might you become aware of the arrangements? Asking about living arrangements, a child registered with a doctor/school. Working with adults who disclose a child living at their address who is not theirs…..

Useful information/contacts: Integrated Front Door – 0151 606 2008 https://www.wirralsafeguarding.co.uk/private-fostering-2/