module7 unit4

Introduction

Living well covers a wide range of topics which enable children, young people and families to thrive and live well. 

This unit focuses on Education and Housing as two of the universal issues which affect family life. 

There will also be a brief introduction to Private Fostering and an overview of the procedures associated with supporting unaccompanied asylum seeking children. 

Housing

What is Private Fostering?

You need to be aware of private fostering. This is where a child lives in the home with somebody who is not a specific member of their extended family. This can appear complicated. The list below will help you to understand what counts as a private fostering arrangement.

A private foster carer may be a cousin or great aunt, friend of the family, or someone who has agreed to take care of the child by private arrangement without the involvement of the Local Authority. A child who is ‘looked after’ by a local authority or placed in a children's home, hospital or school is not privately fostered. In a private fostering arrangement, the parent still holds Parental Responsibility.

Do you know of a child being privately fostered? 

Whether you’re a neighbour, nurse or anyone else who has contact with children there are some signs to look out for. Use our checklist to see if you’d spot them.

In the neighbourhood:

• A child you don’t know suddenly appears next door
• A child you know from the neighbourhood suddenly disappears
• Your neighbour has lots of different children staying with them at different periods in time

In the doctor's surgery:

• A patient turns up with a child you haven’t seen before
• A patient turns up with many different children on a regular basis that they refer to as a ‘nieces’ or ‘nephew’
• A child mentions that the person they are with is not their parent

At school:

• One of the parents at your school has turned up with a ‘niece’ or ‘nephew’ who is staying with them for a little while
• A child in your class suddenly disappears without warning
• A child in your class mentions that they are staying with a stranger or distant relative

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions then there is a possibility that a child is being privately fostered.

Chances are that everything is fine but it is still a legal requirement for the local council to be notified, so please don’t ignore it. Here are some suggestions on what you should to do.

In the neighbourhood: Either speak with your neighbour, if appropriate, or contact children’s services at your local council. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to children’s services there are a number of charities you can talk to first.

In the classroom and at the doctors: It may be possible that the child is being cared for by a relative but these terms can be used loosely. If in doubt you should ask to see birth certificates and/or asylum registration cards.

It is likely that everything is fine, but it is still a legal requirement for the parents and carers to notify their local council, so please don’t ignore it. Either speak with the child’s carer and ask them if they have notified the local council of the arrangement, or, if appropriate, or contact children’s services at your local council.

Many thanks to CoramBAAF for allowing the use of their materials here. See their website on private fostering for more information.

When to notify the Local Authority

1. At least 6 weeks before the arrangements are to begin, but not more than 13 weeks before.
2. Immediately if it is to begin within 6 weeks and definitely within 48 hours of the proposed start date.
3. Immediately once a person is aware of a private fostering situation.

• Make sure you know the relationship between an adult and a child. Don’t assume that the person you are speaking to is the parent without asking them.
• Be absolutely clear what the relationship between the child and the adult is. ‘Aunty’ is a term of respect for an older woman in many African and Asian cultures. Make sure you understand if an ‘Aunty’ is a female relative or a family friend.
• Don’t be surprised if a child or teenager is living with another relative or family friend. This is quite common in many cultures. Do make sure you clarify who the child is living with and where.
• Always document any information about carer/guardian and address which comes out of these discussions.
• Always notify your local authority about private fostering arrangements. It is an offence not to.

Trafficking is...

This is human rights abuse and an issue of global concern. The 2017 report, Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, found that on any given day in 2016, 40 million people were victims of modern slavery and one in four victims were children.

Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT UK) is a leading children's rights organisation working to protect children from trafficking and transnational exploitation. They provide a wide range of online training courses relating to modern slavery, trafficking and exploitation for individuals and organisations.

Other resources include:

• A handbook for professionals - Practical guidance on preventing and responding to trafficking and disappearances of children in migration.
• A child friendly leaflet and short film in 11 languages aimed at informing child trafficking victims about their rights and how to find help.
• Films for practitioners.
   

Find more useful tools from ECPAT here.

To raise awareness and enable organisations to promote safeguarding children who may have been trafficked, ECPAT UK welcome requests for the link and our logo to be placed on appropriate websites. 

Many thanks to ECPAT for allowing the use of their materials here. 

Why do children come to the UK alone?

To seek asylum for many of the same reasons as adults. 

Most commonly children arrive to escape from war, civil unrest and persecution. Children may have seen family members tortured or killed. 

Consider the questions below then click to reveal the answers. 

 

Why would a parent send their child alone?

Why would a parent send their child alone?

Is an unaccompanied asylum seeking child under 18, seeking asylum and without a parent of guardian over 18?

In summary, experiencing certain types of abuse, risk or exploitation does not automatically mean an individual is defined as ‘a vulnerable adult’ in safeguarding terms. However, certain types of abuse are more likely to be experienced by people who are vulnerable adults due to their physical and mental health. Domestic abuse is an example of this. 

A holistic understanding of the situation is fundamental to accurately being able to classify and support those who are vulnerable. 

Case study: Aslem

Unaccompanied asylum seeking children 

Aslem arrived in the UK from Afghanistan nine months ago. His home in southern Afghanistan has been locked in violence for years. After his parents were killed, Aslem’s brother arranged his journey through an agent. There was only enough money for one of them to travel. 

Aslem’s journey involved walking through mined and dangerous terrain for days at a time; he started with a group and an agent. Not all of the group made it. It took Aslem 4 months to reach the UK. 

He spent time in Iran and Turkey, travelled jammed into the back of lorries and finally arrived exhausted and confused: “They never tell you anything. Then the lorry was opened at the port and the police told us ‘UK’.” 

During his initial interviews, Aslem was withdrawn and became angry on several occasions when the officials queried his age. UKBA therefore contested Aslem’s age, stating they felt he was over 18. 

As he was not processed as a ‘minor’, Aslem was placed in a detention centre in adult accommodation with no additional support. He had no access to education; no English classes. 

Aslem was involved in several fights at the detention centre, including one with the man sharing his room. Fortunately, Aslem’s lawyer challenged the initial age assessment, which had been based primarily on attitude and physical appearance and eventually had the case reviewed and the age assessment overturned. 

Once the authorities had agreed that Aslem was a child, they passed him onto the Local Authority Children’s Services. 

However, as Aslem was 16, he was not offered foster care under Section 17 of the Children’s Act, but placed in supported lodgings with other young unaccompanied asylum seekers (Section 20). Here, Aslem has the possibility of going to college, learning English or following other courses. 

Aslem’s asylum claim continues. Aslem has had no contact with his brother and feels going back is not an option for him, whatever the consequences. 

Consider the questions below then click to reveal the answers. 


 

What issues do you anticipate for Aslem in his current position and how might you address these with him?

What types of organisations or groups might be useful to Aslem?

The Children’s Advice Project

Refugee Council provides a service called The Children’s Advice Project for unaccompanied children seeking asylum. Advisers work directly with separated children seeking asylum and also offer advice and information to carers and other professionals working with unaccompanied children and young people.

There are a number of drop-in surgeries around the country where you can access the service. Find out more here.

Know your local procedures

1. You should be able to download guidance on your local procedures on Safeguarding Migrant children and young people. 
2. This will include a section on unaccompanied minors/asylum seeking children. 
3. Multi-agency guidance and is usually held by local Safeguarding Children Boards. It is essential that you familiarise yourself with your local guidance and procedures. For an example, go to 
4. It is best to do this on-line. This means that you will always be reading the most up-to-date policy or protocol. 
5. If you are not sure of where to find your procedures then carry out a simple on-line search. Search for the name of your town/city with the words safeguarding children board (e.g. Bristol safeguarding children board) 

Unaccompanied asylum seeking children: Quiz 

Summary

1. You should now have an understanding of some of the issues facing migrant children and families in relation to housing, education and private fostering. 
2. You should have an understanding of trafficking and the process linked to unaccompanied asylum seeking children. 
3. You should also have an understanding of some of the longer term impact of these safeguarding issues on the future health and life chances of children.