Private fostering campaign launched in Wokingham Borough
A new Wokingham drive to make sure children who go to live with friends or extended family stay safe has been launched by Wokingham Borough Council.
All over the country, children are privately fostered for a variety of reasons and often these arrangements are made without the involvement of the council. Private fostering occurs when a child aged under 16, or if disabled under 18, is looked after for more than 28 days by an adult who is not the child’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt or uncle, as a result of a private arrangement having been made between the child’s parent and a carer.
The government has introduced new guidance on private fostering. Many professionals, private foster carers and parents are not aware of these requirements. Under the Children Act 1989 councils must be informed of both proposed and ongoing private fostering arrangements and are required by law to know where private fostered children are living and to carry out visits to make sure they are safe and well.
This awareness campaign steps up the council’s efforts to remind parents and private foster carers of their legal responsibilities. Sometimes families who are in difficult circumstances or who just need some short-term help may ask a member of their family or a friend to look after their child. John Terry, head of safeguarding, said: “If this is the case, parents must inform children’s services if their child is placed with friends or extended family for more than 28 days. We need to know about any arrangements people enter into, either as parents or carers.”
Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “Most arrangements work well and the children are well cared for. In recent years however there have been a number of high profile cases in Britain where children who have been cared for outside of their family home through private arrangements, have been neglected or harmed in some way. The council has a legal duty to ensure that all children who are, or who will be, privately fostered, are looked after in a safe environment. Many parents already tell us what’s happening - but the change of law means we need to know about every private fostering arrangement.”
Anyone wanting more information or advice about private fostering, or wanting clarity on their responsibilities, should contact the adoption and permanence service on 0118 944 5468 or by email: adoption&permanenceservice@wokingham.gov.uk.
All over the country, children are privately fostered for a variety of reasons and often these arrangements are made without the involvement of the council. Private fostering occurs when a child aged under 16, or if disabled under 18, is looked after for more than 28 days by an adult who is not the child’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt or uncle, as a result of a private arrangement having been made between the child’s parent and a carer.
The government has introduced new guidance on private fostering. Many professionals, private foster carers and parents are not aware of these requirements. Under the Children Act 1989 councils must be informed of both proposed and ongoing private fostering arrangements and are required by law to know where private fostered children are living and to carry out visits to make sure they are safe and well.
This awareness campaign steps up the council’s efforts to remind parents and private foster carers of their legal responsibilities. Sometimes families who are in difficult circumstances or who just need some short-term help may ask a member of their family or a friend to look after their child. John Terry, head of safeguarding, said: “If this is the case, parents must inform children’s services if their child is placed with friends or extended family for more than 28 days. We need to know about any arrangements people enter into, either as parents or carers.”
Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “Most arrangements work well and the children are well cared for. In recent years however there have been a number of high profile cases in Britain where children who have been cared for outside of their family home through private arrangements, have been neglected or harmed in some way. The council has a legal duty to ensure that all children who are, or who will be, privately fostered, are looked after in a safe environment. Many parents already tell us what’s happening - but the change of law means we need to know about every private fostering arrangement.”
Anyone wanting more information or advice about private fostering, or wanting clarity on their responsibilities, should contact the adoption and permanence service on 0118 944 5468 or by email: adoption&permanenceservice@wokingham.gov.uk.
Wokingham Borough Council
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