Smoking Guidance for Foster Carers and Young People

The Fostering Agency has a responsibility and duty to ensure that Children and Young People are placed in fostering homes that provide a safe physical environment and are protected from any effects of secondhand smoke. We believe our children have the right to live in a smoke-free environment.

Foster Carers share this responsibility in ensuring that their home is a smoke-free environment and are mindful that they are role models for Children and Young People. There may be exceptions where an existing relationship outweighs the health risks to the child, for example within family and friends care; in these circumstances, a cessation plan should be in place to enable the best possible care for all children and or plans should be agreed and noted within the carer's file, such as smoking outdoors and ensuring safe storage of cigarettes and lighters.

 E-Cigarettes/Vaping - As research continues to be limited in this area. The same guidelines in this policy for smoking apply to the use of E-Cigarettes.

The Fostering Agency’s guidance is that Children under the age of 5 years will not be placed in a household where Foster Carers or any other members of the household smoke. There will also be situations where Children over the age of 5 and Young people with specific health conditions will not be placed with Foster Carers who smoke and this will be considered as part of the matching process.

Assessing and Supervising Social Workers have a duty to promote the Fostering Agency's smoking policy to both prospective and existing Foster Carers. Issues relating to smoking will be discussed during the assessment stage and following this monitored as part of the supervision process.

Supervising Social Workers have a duty to challenge Foster Carers if they believe that Foster Carers are not complying with the Fostering Agency's guidelines in relation to smoking.

Where Foster Carers or any other members of the household begin to smoke or resume smoking after giving up, this must be discussed with the Supervising Social Worker immediately as it will have an impact on terms of approval in respect of age range where Foster Carers provide placements to Children under 5 years of age.

Smoking will be addressed with Foster Carers as part of their Health and Safety Checklist and consideration should also be given to Young People in placement who smoke and visitors to the home.

• Where a Young Person who is known to smoke requires a fostering placement, details will be included on the placement accommodation paperwork which incorporates the risk assessment and will be discussed with potential Foster Carers in relation to risk and matching considerations;
• During the Placement Planning Meeting this area will be addressed. This includes being very clear that Young people will not be allowed to smoke in the Foster Carers home or vehicle and actions to be taken in the event of non-compliance with the smoking guidelines discussed with the Young Person.

• Foster Carers should act as role models for Children and Young People;
• For Foster Carers who do smoke, then a designated area outside of the home (not at exits/entrances to the property) should be identified. Foster Carers can define their own designated area;
• Appropriate supervision must be ensured to Children and Young People where Foster Carers are outside the home smoking;
• All members of the household and visitors to the home should also be made aware and agree to the guidelines of not smoking in the home and using the designated area;
• If a Foster Carer is available to take a placement on an emergency basis, the same guidelines apply as if the Foster Carer had a Child or Young Person placed with them;
• Foster Carers must not buy or give cigarettes to Young People of any age;
• Foster Carers should not smoke or permit smoking in their vehicles when transporting Children or Young People;
• Foster Carers must be extra vigilant in relation to health matters for Children and Young People where they, other household members, or Young people in placement smoke;
• Foster Carers must never smoke when having contact with a Child or Young Person outside the home e.g. playing;
• Those individuals connected with the Young Person including their Foster Carers and Social Worker have a responsibility to discourage the individual from smoking. They should also make themselves aware of the help, advice and support available to any Young Person considering giving up smoking and discuss the risks to health of smoking;

Foster Carers and/or households that have individuals who smoke, should consider the services available in helping and assisting them in giving up smoking.