BAAF

NEARLY A QUARTER OF COMMUNITIES COULD BE FAILING CHILDREN

New research reveals that nearly a quarter (22 per cent) of people would miss a clear sign that a child may be at risk.

The ICM research was commissioned by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) as part of their first ever national private-fostering campaign — ‘Somebody Else’s Child’.

Private fostering describes an arrangement lasting 28 days or more when a child is cared for by someone who isn’t a close relative. To protect children, it is a legal requirement that parents and carers inform children’s services at their local council of these arrangements. But, sadly, most don’t. Therefore, the charity is asking the wider community to learn how to recognise the signs of private-fostering arrangements. BAAF is concerned that people’s lack of awareness might leave some children invisible in the community and more at risk of abuse.

Key survey findings reveal:

• 22 per cent of people would do nothing if an unrelated child suddenly appeared living next door
• 7 per cent would not act if an unrelated child next door disappeared.

In addition, 4 per cent said they would do nothing even if they were directly concerned for a child’s safety, which equates to 1.6 million people in England and Wales.

The unexpected arrival and disappearance of children are warning signs of a private-fostering arrangement. To ensure the safety and well-being of children, BAAF urges the community not to ignore these signals.

Further analysis reveals that the most common reason for people’s reluctance to act was that they felt it was ‘none of their business’. Fifteen per cent of people said it was none of their business if an unrelated child suddenly appeared next door, and 4 per cent felt it was none of their business if an unrelated child next door disappeared. Women are more likely to act than men — over a quarter (26 per cent) of men said they would do nothing if an unrelated child next door appeared, compared to 19 per cent of women. The age group least likely to act if an unrelated child started living next door were 25–34 year olds (32 per cent). Meanwhile 18–24 year olds were the age group least likely to act if an unrelated child disappeared next door (13 per cent).

In 2004, the Department of Health estimated that there were around 10,000 children being privately fostered in England and Wales. However, BAAF’s research indicates that there could be many more. Over 1 in 10 (11 per cent) of 18–24 year olds said they had been privately fostered at some point in their childhoods.

David Holmes, Chief Executive of BAAF, said “Children in private fostering situations can be invisible, and it is very difficult to estimate accurate numbers. What concerns us is that when asked, only 26 per cent of people knew what private fostering was. We suspect that even fewer know that the local council needs to be informed of these arrangements.

“While most children in private-fostering situations will be well cared for, some may not be. It is those children we are concerned about. Therefore, if people suspect a child is being privately fostered in their local community, please do not to ignore it. Either talk to your neighbour or, if appropriate, call your local council.”

According to research, private fostering spans all regions and all social classes. However, the types of children who are privately fostered can vary greatly — they include teenagers who have had a row with their mum and dad and have left home to live with friend’s family, children whose parents are in prison, children sent to the UK from overseas for educational reasons and trafficked young people who could be used as domestic slaves or sold into prostitution.

BAAF