Somebody else’s child – everybody’s responsibility
Warwickshire County Council are urging people in 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 supported by the local authority called Somebody Else’s Child. The British Association for Adoption & Fostering campaign runs from 19 to 26 January with the aim 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.
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.
In the year to March 2008 the number of notifications of private fostering arrangements in Warwickshire increased from 7 last year to 18. 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 suspect such an arrangement.
Cabinet member Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families said: “Everybody can play a part in looking out for our children’s welfare - 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.”
For more information on private fostering visit the Warwickshire County Council website at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk or logon to the national campaign website at http://www.privatefostering.org.uk