Quick recap
Catherine initiated a discussion on the topic of criminalisation and its impact on foster carers and children, highlighting concerns about foster carers feeling threatened in their homes due to criminal activities / attracting attention to the family home. The group discussed challenging situations involving foster children engaged in risky behavior and gang-related activities, the difficulties in addressing these issues, and the implications of children getting involved in gangs and drugs. The conversation ended with a focus on how to better support foster care families, the challenges faced by carers in dealing with young people involved in county lines or OCGs (organised crime groups), and the need for further research and action regarding the pattern of moving children due to gang culture and grooming.
Next steps
- Catherine sent out a request to the group for case studies and examples of children being moved due to gang/criminal involvement and risks to foster carers. [email protected]
- NAFP to consider a monitoring system for agencies to track unplanned placement endings due to gang/criminal involvement over a 6-month period.
- Hannah to present the discussion and examples at the next DfE meeting to raise awareness of the issue.
- Catherine to consider introducing agencies viewing of a relevant documentary or video, followed by a discussion session, once all watched to provide our own thoughts and feedback
- Fostering agencies to explore offering additional support and training for carers dealing with children involved in criminal activities or gangs.
- Agencies to investigate the issue of tracking devices and tags in children's belongings and potential partnership work with local authorities.
Summary
Criminalisation Impact on Foster Carers
Catherine initiated a discussion on the topic of behaviour that brings concerns to the home and its impact on foster carers and children. She highlighted concerns about foster carers feeling threatened in their homes due to criminal activities, such as drug dealing and exploitation. Catherine also mentioned instances of personal property damage and young people withdrawing from professional support. She introduced another member's overview on what can be done in such situations, including reporting to 111 and professional police forces, and the use of the Modern Slavery Act. Catherine suggested watching documentaries as a group for learning and evidence purposes.
Foster Child Safety and Gang Issues
The discussion focuses on a challenging situation involving a foster child engaged in risky behaviour and gang-related activities. A member describes how the foster carer felt unsafe in her own home due to the child's actions and associates. Despite efforts to manage the situation, including meetings with various stakeholders, the placement arrangement ultimately ended due to safety concerns. The group discusses the difficulties in addressing these issues, including the limitations of moving children to new areas and the lack of police resources. Another member shares similar experiences with gang-involved youth, highlighting the challenges foster carers face and the inadequate support from law enforcement. The conversation also touches on ongoing issues after children leave, such as continued police inquiries and miscommunication between different officers and sometimes continued threats from people seeking the young person and demands for money etc.
Vulnerable Youth and Gang Involvement
A member shared her experience with a young person in the Northwest who was vulnerable due to ADHD and was at risk of criminal exploitation. She highlighted the importance of intelligence sharing between authorities and the role in monitoring the young person's Snapchat. Discussion regarding the need to avoid exclusion from mainstream education, as it can lead to increased vulnerability. Discussion of a similar issue where a school failed to follow safeguarding procedures, putting the foster carer at risk. The conversation ended with a focus on the implications of children getting involved in gangs and drugs, and the risks faced by foster carers and their families.
Supporting Foster Care Families in Crisis
Catherine initiated a discussion on how to better support foster care families, particularly in times of anxiety and threat. Members shared their agency's practices,including offering therapists for carers and conducting reflective sessions. Catherine suggested incorporating emotional management and crisis prevention into their training and reflection sessions. Members emphasised the importance of providing a safe space for carers to process their emotions and offering reassurance.
Carers' Challenges in County Lines Cases
Discussion regarding the challenges faced by carers in dealing with young people involved in county lines or OCGs. Highlighted the need for reassurance and guidance for carers, as they often feel responsible for the young people's safety. Suggestion regarding the need for more reflection and joint agency sessions with the police to prevent young people from becoming recipients of the probation service or prisons. Hannah agreed, emphasising the importance of moving children out of the area to ensure their safety. The team acknowledged the difficulties in reporting incidents to Ofsted and the need for better support for young people after they have been moved.
Addressing Gang Culture in Child Movements
Discussion regarding the need for further research and action regarding the pattern of moving children due to gang culture and grooming. Suggestions regarding involving the Children's Commissioner and the Department for Education (Dfe) in this matter. Catherine proposed collecting case studies and monitoring the situation for a few months to present to the Dfe. Hannah agreed, emphasising the importance of providing specific examples to make the issue more relatable and impactful.
Foster Carers' Challenges With External Factors
Catherine discussed the challenges faced by foster carers, particularly in competing with external factors that adolescents find appealing. She highlighted the difficulty of protecting children from exploitation and the emotional impact on carers when they cannot provide the desired experience / compete with external influences. A member shared an example of a placement that was compromised due to the birth family's knowledge of the foster carer's address, leading to intimidation and ultimately the children being moved out of the area. Discussion regarding a case where a 7-year-old child was given a mobile phone with a tracking device by his mother, causing anxiety for the foster carers.
Future Topics and Social Work Portfolios
Catherine concludes the meeting by discussing future topics and thanking participants for their insights. She mentions that next week's session will focus on the concept of "second carers" in foster households, followed by a discussion on men who foster the week after. Catherine encourages participants to use these sessions for their social work portfolios and professional development plans. She also expresses interest in receiving case studies from participants to potentially bring to the attention of the Department for Education.
HELPFUL CHAT / SUPPORTIVE LINKS FROM A MEMBER (thanks to Mhari) (not verified by NAFP; it is up to individual agencies to consider the recommendations)
Firstly, and most importantly - it is really really important to remember that children and young people are victims of exploitation. It is very easy to consider exploitation and criminal justice as concerning behaviour but we need to hold on to children being victims whether this is through their early experiences, the relationships they have had and also their associations. As a result of this, we need to consider safeguards for children and carers.
- Foster carers are able to report concerns they have to the police, as can organisations, IFAs and social workers - this can be done through 111 or if a professional some police forces accept intel reporting forms. These can be completed every time there is a new concern and supports a "picture" being created around the young person.
- The IFA and LA can ask for a "flag" on their house by the police if there is a concern which police feel is justified. This means that if they are to ring the police there is a marker to highlight severity - each police force is different - but this has happened in the past.
- When considering reporting particularly for risks associated with exploitation - we cannot directly complete a referral to NRM, however we can ask LASW or police to complete NRM - child victims do not have to consent to be referred into the NRM and must first be safeguarded and then referred into the NRM process. -https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/human-trafficking-victims-referral-and-assessment-forms/guidance-on-the-national-referral-mechanism-for-potential-adult-victims-of-modern-slavery-england-and-wales
- I always advocate for some research into the Modern Slavery Act, particularly when considering what potential consequences may result in exploitation.
- It is also helpful to research - The Parenting Order and The Child Safety Order which the court can grant, this is often considered in a pre-sentencing report
Violence and Abuse) - describes the dynamic where a young person (8 years -18 years) engages in repeated abusive behaviour towards a parent or adult carer (this can include physical violence; emotional, economic or sexual abuse; and coercive control. It may also include damage to property and abuse towards other family members, particularly siblings):
- https://www.respect.org.uk/pages/114-capva
- https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/comprehensive_needs_assessment_of_child-adolescent_to_parent_violence_and_abuse_in_london.pdf
- https://www.safe4me.co.uk/portfolio/child-criminal-exploitation-county-lines/
- There are also services such as SafeCall who offer emotional support, confidential discussions and guidance.
Clinks -
https://www.clinks.org/our-work/families#:~:text=The%20Clinks%20Family%20Network%20connects,future%20developments%20in%20criminal%20justice.
For those carers who maybe are more visual - I have also recommended that my team watch the following programs - most are heavy on the exploitation side of things, however some carers prefer to watch something:
- Kids behind bars - BBC
- Adolescence - Netflix - this does give a fairly good account of how the police process works upon arrival. The processing and body checks etc.
- Unbelievable - Netflix - young person (in care) charged with a crime for reporting that she was raped—and two detectives trying to identify a serial rapist - trying to not give spoilers if that makes sense.
- Three Girls - BBC - focuses on exploitation and lack of multiagency working.
