Children left at risk by fostering loophole - Brooke

4.01.49pm GMT Tue 14th Nov 2006

children in private foster care arrangements could be left unprotected by new legislation

Thousands of young children in private foster care arrangements could be left unprotected by new legislation intended to safeguard the most vulnerable because the Government has no record of who they are or where they are living

The revelation comes from a parliamentary answer to Liberal Democrat Children's Spokesperson, Annette Brooke MP, in which the Government admitted it has records of only 730 cases when British Association for Adoption and Fostering estimates the figure is between 15,000-20,000.

Research also shows that:

• Despite new stricter rules on vetting and barring of carers there is still no compulsory registration of private foster care arrangements meaning it will be impossible to trace all children in such placements and ensure that their carers are suitable.

• The Government has been advised multiple times, including in a report issued by the Department of Health in 2002 that a registration system is the only way to ensure children in private foster care are safe from abuse.

• Most children in such arrangements are under the age of five and many are of West African origin.

• Victoria Climbie was in a private foster care arrangement when she was tortured and killed by her "auntie".

Commenting, Annette Brooke MP said "How on earth can we check that these people are suitable to look after a child if we don't know who they are or where they are?

"This loophole needs to be closed immediately and a proper registration scheme set up. This is a gaping hole in government legislation that was supposed to protect these vulnerable children.

"It is tricky because in many cases such arrangements are part of a certain cultural way of life, but nevertheless we have to work within communities to ensure the protection of all children. The Government should not be shying away from the issue simply because it is difficult.

"There will be vast numbers of very suitable, safe and secure private foster care arrangements but we have to be concerned about the possibility that the new law will still leave some children in dangerous situations.

"Victoria Climbie has to remain long in our minds and hearts.

"The Government has been advised multiple times that a registration system is necessary to keep track of private foster care arrangements. Its deplorable that such action hasn't been taken. One must be put in place before we see any more tragic headlines."