We are asked a great many questions all the time by people who want to Foster. There are some that frequently get asked. One of the most common questions is “can I foster if I smoke?” Smoking and the law: in July 2007, smoking in public places such as restaurants, bars and people’s workplaces was made illegal in order to protect non-smokers from health risks that are associated with passive smoking. The current situation nationally for fostering Children, is that there is no official policy position relating to smoking and foster care. But there are consequences of exposing children to smoke and considerations to be borne in mind. It is worth pointing out that children coming into foster care can be amongst the most vulnerable in society. For them, life has already been unfair: statistics show that they are more likely to suffer health inequalities and reduced life chances. It is also known that two-thirds of looked after children smoke which is a figure way above the national average. Suffering mental and emotional trauma as a child, is one of the predictors for taking up smoking in later life.

Children are at a disadvantage developmentally where smoking is concerned. They are more prone to being affected by the damage inhaling second hand smoke can cause to their small immature organs. Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause or exacerbate conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia and sudden infant death syndrome. There is also an increased risk of MenIngitiS, coughs and colds and otitis media (a middle ear infection) which can lead to hearing loss. Children are also more likely to have to be admitted to hospital suffering from serious respiratory conditions.

There is also evidence to show that when children are exposed to second hand smoke tend to take more days off school. Parental smoking is known to be linked with their children starting to smoke later in life. It is worth remembering that half of all people who do smoke do not stop before they die with a large number dying prematurely from a smoking related disease.

If you foster, be aware of a child’s environment…

It is a thought to make one pause…when someone smokes a cigarette, the smoke that is exhaled can remain in the air for two and half hours – and this is even if a window is left open. The smoke may still be there even if it is no longer possible to see or smell it. The effects are even more risky in small or confined places such as cars. No one will consider this surprising when considering that secondhand smoke contains more than four thousand chemicals – many of which are known toxins that can cause cancer as well as increase the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, angina and stroke.

Hopefully the above information will make it clear why foster agencies look very carefully into the circumstances of a household where there is a smoker – which may not even be the carer. Smoking poses a particularly high risk to toddlers and young children because of their daily close proximity to the foster carer and the amount of time spent in the home.

All the evidence points to the fact that it is not a good arrangement to bring a foster child into a house where someone smokes. If you want to foster a young child and there are a number of smokers in your household, this would certainly be something an agency would have concerns about. People who smoke and wish to foster babies will find agencies and local authorities will not permit this. The age limit for a child is usually around five for it even to be considered for that child to be placed in a household where there is a smoker(s).

What if the foster child placed with me smokes?

Sadly, some children have already acquired the smoking habit. As their foster carer, you should both encourage and support the child or young person in your care to try and stop smoking. support is available from the ‘Looked after Child’s’ nurse, local quit smoking groups – information will also be available from the child/young person’s GP. Some general points worth remembering:

the law prohibits anyone under the age of sixteen to purchase cigarettes, tobacco or smoking materials such as cigarette papers,

You should certainly never purchase cigarettes for children/young people in your care. Cigarettes should never be used as a reward for good behaviour,

consider your own health, your families and all the children; birth children or other fostered children in your household. You should consult with your social worker as every situation is different, but it would be unlikely for a young person who smokes to be placed in a household with children already there,

No one should ever smoke in a car with the windows closed and children present.

Our ‘Rainbow Foster Rewards’ are worth looking into
Might you be thinking of fostering children? Many people have a preference for fostering babies, or fostering children; today we are urgently trying to find homes for teenagers too. But wherever your particular interest lies, Rainbow Fostering makes available high quality advice – including support twenty four hours a day. Currently we will be happy to pay you £500 if you refer someone to our agency with the bonus will be paid once that person has been approved and received their first placement from us. Remember, too: any approved foster carer wanting to transfer over to Rainbow Fostering Services can also receive a generous bonus under our scheme. Call our fostering recruitment team on 020 8427 3355 to discuss joining our Rainbow community.

Our latest fostering news is out!
The Rainbow ‘Read All About It’ news section to be found on our website if you are interested in fostering keep informed about all the issues to do with being a foster carer: visit http://bit.ly/2e8PrIK For the latest news.

And the good news at the end of this particular rainbow…we’re heading for the hottest weekend of the year so far…so make sure you use plenty of sun cream if you are out and about remembering if you foster children they have vulnerable skins.

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