1. Invisible Children Private Fostering, Children at Work, Elective Home Education & Children Missing School Sutton LSCB Annual Conference 4 th November 2011 Paul Sharma Head of Service Child Protection & Safeguarding LB Sutton

2. Definition: A child under 16 years (18 years if disabled) who lives with someone who is: not a close relative; and for more than 28 days Invisible Children – Private Fostering

4. Usually children living away from home: sent to UK for education temporarily estranged adolescents some unaccompanied asylum seeking children children at language schools pupils in non-maintained schools living at school for 2+ wks in a vacation some children brought to UK for adoption Invisible Children – Private Fostering

5. Relatives are: grandparents siblings step-parents (married) aunts & uncles (by blood or affiliation) other persons with parental responsibility (PR) Invisible Children – Private Fostering

6. Children not privately fostered: living with a close relative looked after by local authority (‘in care’) legally placed for adoption (NB - private adoption is illegal) long stay hospital (but hospital must notify local authority if 3+ mths) Invisible Children – Private Fostering

7. Why should we be worried? Trafficking Sexual exploitation Domestic servitude Abuse Financial Exploitation Invisible Children – Private Fostering

8. What should happen: Private foster carer must tell LA at least 6 wks before placement (immediately if less than 6 wks or child already there) Parent/carer must tell LA of intention to place child with private foster carer If child moves, within 48 hrs private foster carer & parent must inform LA who is caring for child Failure to notify is a criminal act Invisible Children – Private Fostering

9. What should you do? Tell private foster carer (& parent) to inform Children’s Social Services Tell private foster carer (& parent) you will inform Children’s Social Services Inform Children’s Social Services (confirm in writing) Applies to actual & suspected private fostering or private adoption Invisible Children – Private Fostering

10. Assessment of suitability Concerns Requirements Disqualification Invisible Children – Private Fostering

11. Sutton:07/08 – 11 08/09 – 11 09/10 – 6 10/11 – 5 National:07/08 – 1,330 08/09 – 1,530 09/10 – 1,590 10/11 – 1,649 Invisible Children – Private Fostering

12. So……..if you are aware of any child who does not live with a parent you should consult the local authority Private Fostering Designated Officer…..and that’s me! 020 8770 4532 paul.sharma@sutton.gov.uk Invisible Children – Private Fostering

13. Invisible Children – Children at Work

14. All children under school leaving age Children under 14 prohibited Children 14 - 16 only limited hours –School time –Term-time –Holidays –Sundays Some work prohibited Employer must have a Permit Invisible Children – Children at Work

15. Prohibited work: –Activity & Location –Gambling –Alcohol sales –Entertainment settings (e.g. front of house in theatre) incl amusement arcades & fairgrounds –Door to door –Street trading –Ships Invisible Children – Children at Work

16. Permits: –within 1 week –employer name & address –child’s name, address & dob –hours & days –occupation, task & place –parent statement that child is fit & parent agrees –school –risk assessment Invisible Children – Children at Work

17. Contact: Carol Clarke, Child Employment and Licensing Officer 020 8770 6612 carol.clarke@sutton.gov.uk Invisible Children – Children at Work

18. “Education is compulsory, school is not” –“Efficient & Suitable” –no duty on parent to notify LA (unless SEN) & no need for permission –no need for curriculum –no need for timetable or terms –can withdraw at any time –intervention if “appears” not suitable Invisible Children – Elective Home Education

19. Why? –Belief in elective home education (23%) –Dissatisfaction with school (31%) –School refusal –Bullying –Medical reasons Invisible Children – Elective Home Education

20. What can be offered: –Annual visit –Provision of evidence –Assessment of evidence Invisible Children – Elective Home Education

21. How many in Sutton? –88 from 69 families –9 where concern about suitability –8 SEN –22 primary –66 secondary –54 male / 34 female Invisible Children – Elective Home Education

22. Contact: Borough School Attendance Service 020 8770 6080 Invisible Children – Elective Home Education

23. Elective home education Withdrawn by parent Truancy Excluded Moved to another area Invisible Children – Children missing school

24. Truancy –BSAS intervene if attendance causes concern –NB – increasing no. of schools do not purchase BSAS –Intervention & support with family –Truancy work (e.g. patrols) –“Missing” children Invisible Children – Children missing school

25. Excluded –Regulatory Framework –Must tell parent –Must have date for return –Max 45 days in one school year –After that – permanent –But……good practice…… Invisible Children – Children missing school

27. Move to another area –No requirement on parent to tell school of next school –No requirement for school to identify next school –Government manages database (s2s) –But……good practice…… Invisible Children – Children missing school