Under the 1989 Children’s Act, The City of Cardiff Council has a legal duty to safeguard the well-being of privately fostered children.
We must ensure that the child’s needs are being met. This means that they are:
- safe and well looked after
- healthy
- receiving a proper education
- being encouraged to reach their full potential
- keeping in touch with people who are important to them
- living with someone who helps them value their culture and sense of identity
- properly supported when they become independent.
Despite this, many private fostering arrangements remain hidden, leaving children vulnerable to abuse and neglect.
In Cardiff all children who are privately fostered will have an allocated social worker who is responsible for ensuring their welfare is satisfactorily safeguarded and promoted. There is a statutory requirement for the social worker to visit and see the child at least every six weeks during the first year of the arrangement and at least every 12 weeks following that.