Flintshire County Council is reminding residents to let the authority know when children aren’t living with their family.

The Council’s Social Services for Children department is taking part in Private Fostering Week – “Somebody Else’s Child” (22-28 February) to raise awareness of children living away from home and the legal requirement that the parent/carer inform their local council.

The practice is very different from the care of children provided by councils through approved foster carers. It occurs when a child under 16 (if disabled, under 18) is looked after for more than 28 days by an adult who is not a relative, by private arrangement between parent and carer.

Although there is a legal requirement to inform the council, this doesn’t always happen and Flintshire County Council is calling on the local community to help keep children safe.

Lisa Williams, Private Fostering Social Worker, Family Placement Team, Flintshire County Council, said: “Whether you are a neighbour, teacher, nurse or childminder, if you are aware of a child living away from home, please let us know. You can call us, email or visit the council website. It is likely that everything is fine, but we have to check that children are safe. A child may be visiting this country, receiving education, having problems at home or living with their boyfriend or girlfriend’s family. If they are living away from their family, we want to make sure that they are being looked-after by someone safe”

Following the widespread media coverage following the horrific death of eight year old Victoria Climbie in 2000 who was being privately fostered by her Great Aunt, the welfare of privately fostered children and young people remains a legitimate concern. Many people are unaware that Social Services need to be informed of these care changes. This can mean that these children do not necessarily receive the services and protection that they are entitled to, mainly due to the fact that to a large extent they remain hidden.

Councils up and down the country are taking part in Private Fostering Week.
Studies show it is likely that more than 50 per cent of private foster placements are not notified to local councils. Over 10,000 children and young people are privately fostered in the UK, yet Flintshire County Council has received only seven notifications in the last 12 months and is certain there are more children in the local area living away from home.

The British Association for Adoption and Fostering, organisers of Private Fostering Week, have provided a few things you should look out for:

• A child has suddenly appeared or disappeared from your class.
• One of the parents suddenly has a child living with them that you do not think is a close relation.
• A child says that they are not living at home.
• A child had mentioned that they are living with an ‘aunty’ and is someone they are not related to.

In a surgery:

• A patient turns up with a child you haven’t seen before.
• A patient frequently turns up with different children describing them as ‘nieces’ and ‘nephews’.
• A child patient says the person they are with is not their parent.

(Source: http://www.privatefostering.org.uk)

Carol Salmon, Head of Social Services for Children, Flintshire County Council, said: “Encouraging both parents and private foster carers to come forward does not mean that our intention is to disrupt such arrangements.

We would wish to offer whatever support we can to potential carers provided the placement is in the child or young person’s best interests. Despite our efforts to promote the need to inform us of such arrangements, very few arrangements come to our attention and we are concerned to reach and support all such arrangements.

“People may be unaware that some extended family members may actually constitute private fostering and I would suggest that appropriate guidance is sought on a case by case basis.”

Anyone living in Flintshire, involved or aware of a private fostering arrangement, should contact Social Services for advice on 01352 701000.

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