Smokers 'to be stopped from fostering'

Children could be denied a foster family if one of their prospective carers smokes under new guidelines to come into force on the day England goes smoke free.

The UK's leading fostering charity, the Fostering Network, has drawn up new guidance for local authorities and agencies recommending smokers do not foster children under five.

Their draft paper says: "No children under five years old should be placed with non-related foster carers who smoke - this is because of the particularly high health risks for very young children and toddlers who spend most of their day physically close to their carers."

The new advice hopes to protect young children's health and prevent the charity being sued by affected foster kids in the future.

However, local authorities are likely to implement the new guidelines gradually but the guidance has won the backing of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering.

Westminster Council said it supported the new advice but consideration should be given to the shortage of carers in the UK.

Spokesman Geoff Skinner said: "We always put the welfare of the child first when determining the suitability of a foster carer and we do not place under 5s with foster carers who smoke.

"But there maybe some cases where a foster carer who smokes could continue to care for an older child - in such instances we advise that they should not smoke around the child or in the house."

The final guidance will be effective from July 1 - the day the smoking ban in England comes into force.

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