Council Announces Support For Foster Campaign
to ensure the safety & well-being of children in the borough
The call to action is part of a national campaign called 'Somebody Else’s Child' which aims to raise awareness of private fostering arrangements in the UK.
These involve cases where young children are looked after for lengthy periods of time by someone who is not a close relative and where the fostering arrangements have been agreed in private between the child's parents and the carers.
Although these arrangements are quite legal, by law both the parents and the carer must notify the local authority so that staff can make sure the child is being properly looked after.
There is no accurate national picture of how many children in the UK are being looked after under these circumstances, but a recent Department of Health estimate suggested that there could be as many as 10,000 in England and Wales. There are concerns that that some of these children are at higher risk of abuse or neglect.
In the year ending March 31, 2008 Wandsworth Council was notified of 20 private fostering arrangements in the borough but child protection workers believe there could be many more.
The council is now appealing to the general public, health workers, family doctors and especially people who work in schools, nurseries, youth clubs and in other child-related fields to notify the council if they are aware of a child who is being looked after in this way.
Private foster carers are also being encouraged to contact the town hall to ensure they are not missing out on information and support, such as financial advice about benefits they may be entitled to.
Executive member for children's services Cllr Kathy Tracey said:
"There are many children and young people in our community who are being looked after by someone who isn’t a direct relative. The 20 cases we were notified about last year could easily be just the tip of the iceberg
"These children will include those sent to England from overseas for a better education and sofa surfing teenagers who’ve had a row with mum and dad and gone to live with a friend. While many of these children will be absolutely fine and in no danger at all, some could be at risk of abuse or neglect and may need protecting.
"By law if you are privately fostering a child under 16 for more than 28 days you must notify your local council. Help us keep children safe by spreading the word and telling us if you know of a child who is being looked after in these circumstances."
Anyone who wishes to contact the council about private fostering should telephone (020) 8871 6622 or email childreferraldutymanager@wandsworth.gov.uk. To contact staff by post please send information to Children's Specialist Services, Welbeck House, 43-51 Wandsworth High Street, SW18 2PT.
For more information on private fostering visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/privatefostering or visit the national campaign's website at www.privatefostering.org.uk
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