SMOKING POLICY
FOSTER CARE AND SUPPORTED LODGINGS
Overview
“The overriding priority in foster care must be the welfare of the child. Foster care provides a positive
environment for children, helping to improve their chances of being happy and healthy as they grow
older. A foster carer who smokes is no less able to provide this care. However, second-hand smoke
presents a serious risk to a child’s health and an adult role model who smokes significantly increases the
likelihood that a child will smoke.
It is in the interest of all children to be raised in a smoke-free home. All fostering services should be
moving towards a position where children and young people in care are only placed in smoke-free
homes, regardless of whether the foster carer is a smoker or non-smoker.
Local authorities must protect children from second-hand smoke while doing their best to ensure that no
child in need goes without a foster place. Balancing the risk of exposure against the benefits of good and
appropriate care is challenging but by focusing on the individual child’s needs, the right decisions can be
made.” The Fostering Network.
Aims
The aim of Swindon Borough Council is to protect children and young people in our care from the effects
of passive or active smoking.
Policy statement
Swindon Borough foster carers, supported lodgings carers and staff are always expected to ensure that
all children in placement are not exposed to the harmful effects of smoke; by ensuring that children are
not passively exposed to smoke within foster homes or vehicles. Foster carers, supported lodgings carers
and staff who smoke are required to ensure that any smoking takes place outside of the carer’s home
and vehicle and well away from foster children so they are not observed by them.
As corporate parents we have the responsibility to balance the needs of looked after children against the
rights of foster carers and supported lodgings carers to do as they wish in their own home
Impact of exposing children to Smoking/second-hand smoke
The health risks of smoking and exposure to second hand smoke are well documented
Looked after children are amongst the most vulnerable in our society. They are more likely to suffer
health inequalities and face poor life chances and outcomes. Two thirds of children in care smoke this is
far higher than the national average. Suffering mental trauma as a child is also a predictor of smoking in
later life. Children within the care system are more likely than others to have their life chances cut short
through smoking habits.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of second hand smoke because of their
smaller immature and developing organs. Second-hand smoke is a preventable cause of conditions
including sudden infant death syndrome, Bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia.
Children exposed to second hand smoke have more days off from school and there is some evidence to
suggest that second hand smoke can impair mental development
We know that children who live with parents who are smokers are as much as three times more likely to
become smokers themselves. Foster carers should be aware that their own smoking may influence the
behaviour of children in their care.
Children of smokers are much more likely be taken to hospital within their first year of life with chest
problems than those of non-smokers they also have more ear, nose and throat infections that nonsmokers children. Children exposed to smoke are much more likely to develop breathing problems in
adulthood
Placements of children under 5yrs
As the effects of passive smoking are potentially more serious for younger children, no child under 5 will
be placed by Swindon Borough Council in a household where a carer or other household members
smoke. In exceptional circumstances e.g. Kinship placements or where existing carers are smokers some
discretion may be applied. This will be subject to a full risk assessment being carried out and evidence
that the living environment is smoke free and the placement is seen to be in the best interests of the
children.
Children /young people with disabilities
No disabled child or child with a medical condition (e.g. asthma, chest problems, heart disease or other
medical problem seen as relevant by the medical advisor) will be placed by Swindon Borough Council in a
household where a carer or other household members smoke. In exceptional circumstances e.g. Kinship
placements or where existing carers are smokers some discretion may be applied. This will be subject to
a full risk assessment being carried and it can be evidenced that the living environment is smoke free and
the placement is seen to be in the best interests of the children.
Placement of children aged 5+
Where any members of the household are smokers, the issue of their smoking habits should be discussed
and a risk assessment carried out. The child’s Social worker and family should be made aware of the fact
that the carers smoke and the strategies in place to ensure that the child /Young person is living in a
smoke free environment.
Many young people who come into local authority care are already smokers. Others become smokers
whilst in care. Carers and staff must never buy cigarettes for children/adolescents nor should cigarettes
ever be used as a reward for good behaviour.
Where foster carers provide a placement to a child that smokes clear guidelines about how this will be
managed will be agreed with the young person’s social worker and parents at the placement agreement
meeting. .
Carers are expected to discourage smoking by foster children just as any responsible parent would.
Recruitment
In order to move to a position where every child is placed in a smoke free home the issue of smoking will
be discussed in an honest and robust manner.
Whilst Swindon Borough would not like to create the view that application from smokers are unwelcome,
all applicants should be made aware of the health risks to looked after children posed by smoking and will
be advised of the requirements set out in this policy.
Discussion will include the smoking of carers and others within the household, and how smoking is
managed including any arrangements or family routines that have been made to minimise the risks of
passive smoking to other members of the household.
Foster carers and supported lodgings carers are asked not to smoke when transporting children and
young people in their vehicles so that a smoke free environment is maintained.
Carers are also required to ensure that children/young people are not exposed to smoke when visiting
friends or relatives of the foster carers or when other smokers visit their home.
All foster carers should receive information about the effects of smoking on health and should be made
aware that smoking habits will be considered alongside other health factors when considering their
fostering re-approval at their annual review.
Help and support
If foster carers have any queries about the above, or if they or a child in their care needs any advice or
support in order to reduce or stop their smoking, this should be discussed with their supervising social
worker who will signpost them to the appropriate health service for advice.