* Research released today by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) reveals Londoners’ lack of awareness of private fostering.
* Few professionals working with children understand what private fostering is.
* Charity fears hundreds – or even thousands – of children in London may be slipping through the net.
A widespread lack of awareness of private fostering could be putting vulnerable children at risk, fears BAAF.
Results of a YouGov survey commissioned by BAAF of more than 1,200 Londoners demonstrate confusion about what it is and what is required under the law, says the charity.
Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (under 18 if disabled) 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.*
The poll asked adults living in the capital what they think it means for a child to be ‘privately fostered’, offering a series of possible answers. Just 18% picked the correct definition. Furthermore, only 16% knew that, 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.
Respondents included more than 200 professionals, such as teachers and teaching assistants, doctors and nurses, who come into regular contact with children. Worryingly, again just 18% of them knew the correct definition of private fostering. Yet professionals working with children play a vital role in identifying privately fostered children. They should explain to carers their responsibilities to notify and, ultimately, they should tell the local authority themselves if the private foster carer is reluctant to do so.
David Holmes, Chief Executive of BAAF, says: “There is a disturbing lack of awareness of private fostering. This could be putting vulnerable children at risk.
“We believe there may be hundreds – or even thousands – of children and young people living with private foster carers in London who are effectively invisible because no-one has notified the local authority about the arrangement.
“Parents and carers need to realise that they are breaking the law if they do not tell the local authority – they may also be missing out on information and support. And it is vital that every single professional who comes into contact with children understands what private fostering is and notifies where appropriate. If local authorities do not know where these children are and who they are living with, then they are powerless to keep them safe.”
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 from overseas for their education in the UK. 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 this country, but in reality the child may be mistreated or abused.
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. The local authority has the power to remove a child from a private foster care placement if there are concerns for the child's welfare.
At 31st March last year, local authorities in London were aware of only 360 private fostering arrangements. Across England, local authorities were aware of 1,250 private fostering arrangements. In reality, no-one knows how many children and young people are privately fostered. In 2001, the Department of Health estimated that there were about 10,000 children living in private fostering in England and Wales.
Notes to editors:
*Close relative is defined as step-parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether of full blood, half blood or by marriage).
YouGov interviewed 1,282 GB adults (18+) in London between 21st December 2007 and 2nd January 2008, of whom 223 were professionals who come into regular contact with children.
For more information, please call BAAF press office on 020 7421 2632/3 or email daisy.oclee@baaf.org.uk For out of hours enquiries, call the press office mobile on 07767 444 589.