4.2.2 Private Fostering Statement of Purpose |
AMENDMENTS
This chapter was updated in January 2011 to reflect changes in the responsible officer and associated organisational arrangements.
Contents
- The Legal Definition of a Privately Fostered Child
- The Local Authority's Duties and Functions under the Children Act 1989 and how they will Operate in Relation to Privately Fostered Children
- Training for Relevant Staff
- Promoting Awareness of the Requirement to Notify Private Fostering Arrangements
- The Suitability of Private Fostering Arrangements in Accordance with the Regulations
- To Secure the Welfare of Privately Fostered Children within the Local Authority's Area
- Advice and Support for Private Foster Carers, Parents/those with Parental Responsibility for Privately Fostered Children
- Advice and Support for Privately Fostered Children
- Training for Private Foster Carers
- The Role of Other Agencies and Professionals in Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Privately Fostered Children
- How Relevant Staff have an Appropriate Understanding of Haringey's Duties and Functions in Relation to Private Fostering
- Support and Advice - Contact Details
Introduction
This statement of purpose describes how services to privately fostered children, their carers and parents are delivered within the London Borough of Haringey. This guide is for professionals, external organisations and the public.
Any enquiries regarding this statement of purpose should be directed to Wendy Tomlinson, Head of Service, Commissioning and Placements on 020 8489 3635 or by email wendy.tomlinson@haringey.gov.uk
The London Borough of Haringey's private fostering service is inspected by Ofsted against the National Minimum Standards for Private Fostering. Their contact details are:
Ofsted
Royal Exchange Buildings
St Ann's Square
Manchester
M2 7LA
Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
Telephone: 08456 404045
0161 618 8524 for Minicom users.
Open 08.00 to 20.00, Monday to Friday.
Haringey Council has statutory powers and responsibility for children who are privately fostered, their parents and carers. The private fostering service is managed and located within the Commissioning and Placement Service which is part of the Children and Families Branch of the Children and Young People's Service. Haringey aims to provide and maintain a high standard of service, which is subject to ongoing review and development. We are committed to promoting best practice and work together with other local authorities and relevant national organisations to learn from and share experience in this emerging area of social care.
The service operates within Haringey Council equal opportunities policy. Private fostering arrangements are found across Haringey's many different communities and equalities issues have been incorporated into all stages of service planning and delivery. Awareness-raising activities are targeted to bring private fostering to the attention of the diverse population and inform them of their obligation to notify the local authority of the proposed private arrangement. All private foster carers and household members are assessed and supported in a way which values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. The individual needs of the privately fostered child are considered in relation to age, disability, colour, ethnic origin, race, gender, HIV status, marital status religion and sexuality.The private fostering team consists of two social workers, one full time and one part time post. The team is currently managed by the recruitment and assessment team manager and is line managed through the Senior Team Manager, Fostering. Previously the Unaccompanied minors cared for in private fostering arrangements received a specialist private fostering service from the Unaccompanied Minors Team however the private fostering team is now able to manage these cases.
1. The Legal Definition of a Privately Fostered Child
A private fostering arrangement is one that is made privately without the involvement of the Local Authority. It is an arrangement made for the care of a child under 16 years, or 18 years if disabled, by someone other than a parent or close relative for 28 days or more.
Private foster carers may be from the extended family such as a cousin or great aunt. A private foster carer may be a friend of the family, the parent of a friend of the child, or someone previously unknown to the child's family who is willing to privately foster the child. This applies equally to unaccompanied minors, from overseas. However a person who is a relative under the Children Act 1989 (i.e. a grandparent, brother, aunt, (whether by full blood or half blood or by marriage/civil partnership), or a step-parent, will not be a private foster carer.
The period for which the child is cared for by the private foster carer should be continuous. Even if that continuity is broken by the occasional short break it can still be a private fostering arrangement; the important thing is the intent - e.g. if a young mother studies away from Haringey and her neighbours look after her baby during the week it would be private fostering as the intention is that the arrangement in total lasts for 28 days or more.
The private foster carer becomes responsible for providing the day to day care of the child in a way which safeguards and promotes his/her welfare. Overarching responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child remains with the parent or those with parental responsibility.
It is the responsibility of the Local Authority to ensure that the welfare of the privately fostered child is safeguarded and promoted by determining the suitability of all aspects of the private fostering arrangement.
2. The Local Authority's Duties and Functions under the Children Act 1989 and how they will Operate in Relation to Privately Fostered Children
The Guidance on Private Fostering states:
'The measures in section 44 of the Children Act 2004 and the Children (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations 2005 are intended to strengthen and enhance the Children Act 1989 private fostering notification scheme. Along with the National Minimum Standards, they are intended to focus local authorities' attention on private fostering by requiring them to take a more proactive approach to identifying arrangements in their area. The new measures are expected to improve notification rates and compliance with the existing legislative framework for private fostering - and, therefore, to address the key problems identified with the scheme: low notification rates, late notification and a perceived lack of consistent local authority commitment to meeting the needs of privately fostered children.
There is, however, a need for local authorities to take a much broader approach to private fostering by engaging with local communities and private foster carers, and developing a better understanding of private fostering arrangements and good practice in this complex area.
3. Training for Relevant Staff
Focused briefings on private fostering are provided to social care staff by the private fostering team and new social workers are made aware of the regulations and arrangements for private fostering in Haringey during their induction programme. Staff have access to a range of training and development opportunities provided for Children and Families by the Council's Organisational Development and Learning Centre, and the Local Safeguarding Children Board; relevant training includes the Framework for Assessment of Children in Need; Working Together in Child Protection; Child Protection Procedures; Separation and Loss; Attachment; and Communication with Children. Individual courses are evaluated by participants for relevance, content and delivery. Training programmes are reviewed and updated on an annual basis to ensure that they continue to meet statutory requirements and promote best practice.
To supplement in-house training the private fostering team attend conferences and specialist training on issues directly pertinent to private fostering.
Officers within the council and professionals from other agencies receive private fostering briefings which inform them of their specific duties in relation to privately fostered children.
4. Promoting Awareness of the Requirement to Notify Private Fostering Arrangements
Haringey has a proactive approach to promoting awareness of private fostering both to members of the public and to other professional groups. Our campaigns have a common identity based on the "28 days" theme - which is represented in all of our publicity and information material. Translations can be made available on request.
Periodically we embark on a large scale poster campaign using key advertising sites across the borough; this is supplemented by smaller scale initiatives in selected council wards. To augment these publicity shots we provide a range of press and community briefings. Stalls are held at customer service outlets. The council's magazine "Haringey People" is used to deliver the private fostering message to every household in the borough and in addition, information is available on Haringey's website.
Information cards and booklets are made available in all council public access points in the borough - libraries, customer service centres, health centres etc. Particular attention is paid to contacting and informing schools: Head Teachers and Governors receive targeted briefings and each school has been sent awareness raising material. The Training & Community Partnership Officer promotes awareness amongst ethnic minority community groups. Briefings are given to voluntary sector partners and other community organisations.
The effectiveness with which notification has been promoted will be reviewed and evaluated on a regular basis.
5. The Suitability of Private Fostering Arrangements in Accordance with the Regulations
All privately fostered children/young people and their private foster carers and their households, which are in the London Borough of Haringey will be assessed under the Framework for Assessment of Children in Need and the criteria stated in the (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations 2005. The assessment will be completed and a decision will be made on senior level whether the arrangement is found to be suitable. This happens within 42 days of receipt of notification. The decision will be made later if the Criminal Record Bureau disclosure for the private foster carers and their household members return later than 42 days of the notification.
6. To Secure the Welfare of Privately Fostered Children within the Local Authority's Area
Haringey will ensure that the welfare of privately fostered children is satisfactorily safeguarded and promoted by discharging the duty as stated under the Private Arrangements for Fostering Regulations 2005. The team carries out a Private Fostering Assessment in order to see whether the private foster carer and their household can secure and promote the welfare of the privately fostered child. In the assessment it is established whether the carer, the whole household and the visitors to the household meet the needs of the privately fostered children and it is also assessed whether the arrangement could have a detrimental impact on the children who already live in the household. All household members and regular visitors over 18 will be CRB checked and other checks (e.g. Health & Safety Check) are undertaken to ensure the privately fostered child's welfare.
If a privately fostered child is a child in need the case responsibility lies with the private fostering team and the team will carry out all necessary children in need assessments.
The suitability of the private fostering arrangement will be determined by the senior team manager at the conclusion of the assessment.
The wishes and feelings of the privately fostered child/young person are taken into consideration at all stages of the process. Social Workers ensure that children are seen alone and supported in expressing their views in relation to the private fostering arrangement. The assessment will include all aspects of the child's development and will determine whether the identified needs of the child can be met and satisfactorily promoted within the arrangement. Part of the assessment considers the ability of the private foster carer to meet the child's racial, religious, cultural and linguistic needs.
The overall suitability of the household and the parenting capacity of the (prospective) private foster carer are assessed. The assessment will identify the type of support necessary to promote the child's welfare and help them to reach their potential. We advise the private foster carer and the privately fostered child of available universal and specialist support services, addressing medical, educational, social or behavioural needs. Social Workers provide advice and support on managing day to day behavioural problems etc. and help carers in addressing issues specifically relating to the child's experience of being cared for in a private fostering arrangement.
It is the Private Fostering Team's task to promote awareness so ensuring that potentially vulnerable children cared for under private arrangements are brought to the attention of the council and they are suitably monitored and supported. The team responds to notifications, to carry out visits within statutory timescales, to involve the parents/persons with parental responsibility if possible and to compile reports after visits. A health & safety check is carried out in relation to the premises of the private foster carer and an enhanced CRB disclosure is undertaken on private foster carers, household members and employees of the household over 18 years old. All the work is carried out in accordance with the Private Fostering Regulations 2005. Children who are registered as disabled while being privately fostered will be eligible to receive an after care service.
All child protection issues will be addressed using the London Child Protection Procedures. The Child Protection Advisors within the Children and Young People's Service will be consulted regarding issues of concern. The police will be notified of any incident where there is an indication that an offence may have been committed. Cases requiring instigation of child protection enquiries are worked jointly with the First Response Teams in the Safeguarding Service.
If the arrangement is found to be unsuitable Haringey Council will either "impose requirements" or "prohibit" the arrangement. Carers and parents will be provided with full information on reasons for the imposition of a requirement or prohibition and will be provided with details of how to appeal.
7. Advice and Support for Private Foster Carers, Parents/those with Parental Responsibility for Privately Fostered Children
Each private foster carer/parents/persons with parental responsibility whose child has been notified to Haringey Council as being privately fostered will receive a booklet about private fostering, which explains in depth what private fostering means and the responsibilities of all parties. This booklet also provides information about the private fostering team, a freepost address, free phone number and an email address so that the private foster carers/parent/persons with parental responsibility can easily contact the team for help and support. A range of further reading and information material with details about advice and support services is made available during initial visits. The private foster carers also receive a leaflet on how to complain.
Private foster carers are visited on a planned regular basis. During these visits they receive verbal advice and support and have the opportunity to discuss any arising problems. Additionally the private foster carers can request visits or telephone support. Independent interpreters are used if needed or requested so that the carer can fully express themselves for the assessment and that the advice/information given on any visit can be fully understood by them.
If it is in the interest of the child/the private foster carers/persons with parental responsibility we will refer them to other support services provided by the Children and Young People Service and its statutory and voluntary partners, e.g. parenting courses, Drug and Alcohol counselling; CAMHS, housing etc.
As long as the children are privately fostered and do not have any other needs the case responsibility for the days the child is living with the private foster carer lies with the Private Fostering Team. If the child lives outside the private fostering arrangement for some days per week/month the responsibility does not lie with the private fostering team. If needed the private fostering team will refer to the relevant team and will discuss the approach with this team.
If there are Child Protection concerns in relation to the privately fostered child either within or outside the private fostering arrangement it is the responsibility of the Safeguarding & Children in Need Team, however in both cases the involved teams will work together.
8. Advice and Support for Privately Fostered Children
Each privately fostered child/young person that is known to Haringey Council will receive a booklet about private fostering, which explains what private fostering means. This booklet provides information about the private fostering team, the details include a freepost address, free phone number and an email address so that the privately fostered children can easily contact the private fostering team for help and support. In addition there are other useful contact details of support services for children within the booklet. Additionally the children receive a complaint booklet and other information on how to access advocacy and legal support or advice.
Statutory visits are made to all privately fostered children. In addition to this children can request to be seen by a social worker outside the cycle of routine appointments. Independent interpreters are used if needed or requested so that the child/young person can fully express their wishes and feelings and can communicate appropriately with their social worker.
If it is in the best interest of the child/young person we will refer the child/young person to other support services, e.g. CAMHS; medical referrals, nursery etc. depending on the nature of the referral and on the age of the child we will consult the child/young person and/or the parents/persons with parental responsibility.
9. Training for Private Foster Carers
The private foster carers have access to training provided by Haringey's Fostering Service. The training offered is selected so that it is suitable to the particular needs of private foster carers. In future private foster carers will also have access to a range of training opportunities coordinated through the children's workforce development strategy.
10. The Role of Other Agencies and Professionals in Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Privately Fostered Children
Haringey Council created and circulated a booklet specifically for professionals so that those who come into contact with children and their carers are aware of their duties in respect to private fostering. Haringey's website also provides this information for ease of reference. Partner agencies receive briefings on private fostering and publicity material is made available to be displayed in their public access buildings. Information is also disseminated by the Training & Community Partnership Officer to schools and community groups. Occasional workshops will be organised to enhance the knowledge about private fostering amongst other agencies, professionals and community groups.
The Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) Prevention Sub-Group receives regular reports on the development and delivery of services to privately fostered children and advises on promotional material and the service's statement of purpose. The LSCB Quality Assurance group monitors the performance indicators relating to private fostering. The main LSCB is briefed on performance around private fostering twice a year and management information is included in its annual report and circulated to partner agencies. These multi-agency forums are used to reinforce the collective responsibility for encouraging notification and when necessary reporting situations where notification has not or is unlikely to take place. The Children and Young People's Strategic Partnership has designated privately fostered children as a priority group. The Director of the Children and Young People's Service receives an annual report on the activity and development of private fostering services.
11. How Relevant Staff have an Appropriate Understanding of Haringey's Duties and Functions in Relation to Private Fostering
Haringey's staff has access to the Private Fostering Procedures which are in the Children's Social Care Procedures Manual on 'Harinet' (Haringey's Intranet), this is updated on a six monthly basis. All publicity material is on-line in addition to available hard copies. Haringey's staff will receive information about private fostering through briefings and team meetings. Staff employed in the Private Fostering Team are recruited on the basis of their understanding of the legislative framework surrounding private fostering, their experience in assessing and supporting carers and ability to undertake direct work with children of all ages from a diversity of backgrounds. Team members receive thorough induction to Haringey processes and procedures and regular supervision.
12. Support and Advice - Contact Details
Advice and support in relation to private fostering within Haringey and this statement of purpose can be requested from the private fostering team:
Freepost RLZX-TLCE-RZZA
HARINGEY COUNCIL
Private Fostering
4th Floor
40 Cumberland Road
LONDON
N22 7SG
T: 0800 634 0480
Email: privatefostering@haringey.gov.uk
Advice and information about private fostering can be obtained from the Private Fostering Team on telephone 020 8489 4723.
All publicity material and this statement of purpose will be available in the languages required.
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