How much do you know about Private Fostering?
Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (under 18 if disabled) is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a 'close relative'. This is a private arrangement made between a parent and a carer, for 28 days or more.
Close relatives are defined as step-parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles or aunts (whether of full blood, half blood or marriage/affinity).
We all have a duty to ensure that privately fostered children have the same rights to protection and services as children who are living within their family home.
As a professional, you have a duty to refer to Children’s Services if you think that a child is, or is likely to be privately fostered.
For further information, the Herefordshire Council web page on private fostering sets out what private fostering is and the legal definitions of a privately fostered child with a list of examples.
There is also a private fostering information leaflet which can be downloaded from the Partnership Team’s website.
If you are in any doubt, call MASH for advice: 01432 260800
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Working together to safeguard our communities during the Covid 19 Pandemic
Senior leaders from Health, Adult Social Care, West Mercia Police, Children's Social Care and Education have met regularly since April 2020 to discuss the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic in Herefordshire from a safeguarding point of view.
These discussions are about identifying risks and new concerns as a result of the pandemic and how they can be addressed collectively. If your agency feels that there are particular concerns or trends that you would like to be considered at these meetings, relating to safeguarding children or adults during this challenging time, you can inform the discussions by contacting the Herefordshire Safeguarding Partners Team.
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British Transport Police and Local Safeguarding Partnerships (LSPs)
British Transport Police is committed to engaging and working with LSPs as a partnership to reduce harm or the risk of harm to vulnerable people.
However, given their national specialist policing responsibilities and the local operating framework for LSPs it is proposed that BTP and LSPs engage only when necessary in response to railway related safeguarding matters (matters that originate on or are relevant to the safeguarding of people on the railway.)
BTP will respond to all lawful and legitimate requests for data, to support reviews into the effectiveness of arrangements to safeguard and to promote the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults and will share relevant information with partners.
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Latest Newsletter from No Wrong Door Project
The No Wrong Door Project from hvoss (Herefordshire Voluntary Organisations Support Service) have published their latest weekly newsletter
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For the latest UK Government information on Coronavirus (Covid-19)
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
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