Contact: Gill Horrobin Tel: 01962 847263 [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the Executive Member for Children and Families approves the following changes to the current policies:

· The adoption of the position of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), in stating that Hampshire will not approve applicants who smoke to adopt or foster children aged under 5 or with respiratory problems, unless those children are known to them;

· That placing social workers include, in each family placement agreement, a commitment from the carers that they will not expose the children in their care to smoke;

· That placing social workers include, in each family placement agreement, a statement of the reasons for considering that the placement will meet the needs of the child to be placed, and, where that family smokes, what action will be taken to reduce the risk to the child;

· That Household Reviews of Foster Carers will cover the issue of smoking;

· That regular joint campaigns with the PCT on the dangers of smoking take place.

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priorities:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by enabling some of our most vulnerable children to be matched with families in the community who can meet their holistic needs across the whole spectrum.

"Maximising well-being" - by enabling children to experience a good quality family life so that they can achieve their maximum potential.

2.2 This decision will enable more children to live in family placements by ensuring that a range and choice of placements is available so that children's needs across the spectrum can be carefully matched to a family setting which meets those needs. With a stable family placement, that takes into account all aspects of the child's welfare, children are more likely to be healthy (including having their emotional needs met), stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic wellbeing as adults.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 The motion submitted to the Full County Council on the 3^rd April 2008, proposing that smoking is banned among all foster carers and adopters, was rejected by Members.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 Not Applicable.

Approved by: Date:

........................................

Councillor Mrs Patricia Banks

Executive Member for Children and Families