Somebody else's child - everybody's responsibility
Kent County Council are urging people across the County to help
them ensure the safety and well-being of children who are being
cared for by someone who is not a direct relative.
The call to action is part of a national campaign called
Somebody Else's Child,
which is being run by the British Association for Adoption &
Fostering, and aims to raise awareness of private
fostering.
Private fostering describes an arrangement when
someone, who is not a close relative, cares for another person's
child for an extended period of time. Although this is done by
private arrangement, legally the parent and the carer must notify
the local authority where the child is going to live so that
the local authority can ensure that the child is being properly
looked after. In the past some parents or private foster carers
have felt very worried about involving Children's Social Services in a private family
matter.
Jan, a mum of two boys herself, also looks after Jordan (aged
13). Although initially concerned about contacting social services,
Jan has found the visits and contact from her private fostering
social workers very supportive. Jan said: "As a teacher I knew
that it was a legal requirement that I should notify Social
Services of the arrangement. It was my first contact with Social
Services outside of school and I had no idea what to expect. When
the social worker arrived, all of us were nervous, but it was clear
from the first meeting that she was there to help and support every
bit as much as to check up on us."
Nobody knows exactly how many children are privately fostered,
but in 2001 the Department of Health estimated that there could be
as many as 10,000 in England and Wales. It is feared that some of
these 'invisible' children could be at risk of abuse, or victims of
trafficking. Other children be missing out on the support and
advice that the specialist social worker can provide or even from
meeting up with children who are living in the same sort of
arrangement that they are.
Jordan said: "Although I was worried when the social worker
first came, quite quickly I realised that there was nothing to
worry about. She was really kind and would listen to anything I had
to say. I think of her as one of my adult friends and I enjoy
seeing her."
In the year to March 2008 there were 56 notifications of private
fostering arrangements in Kent. However experts believe there could
be many more. The Council is particularly asking people who work
with children to be aware of private fostering and inform them
immediately if they believe that such an arrangement is taking
place. It may be that the arrangement has not been notified to
Children's Social Services simply because the parent or carer did
not know that they had to do so. They say the general public also
has a part to play.
Sarah Hammond from Kent County Council said: "Everybody has
a role in keeping our children safe - whether you are a teacher,
youth worker, neighbour or just chat to the other mums on the
school gate. If you hear about a child who is being privately
fostered please let us know immediately so we can ensure the child
is being kept safe."