Information for Parents and Carers

Father with child

Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs anyone can do.  It can be both challenging and rewarding and we believe every parent experiences some difficulties at some point.  This page contains useful links to sites that can provide information and advice to make this time less stressful and more rewarding for you and your children.

 

Do you look after someone else’s child?

It is not widely known but if you care for someone else’s child for 28 days or more and you are not a close relative, you have a legal obligation to tell the Local Authority.  This form of child care is called Private Fostering. 

There have been private fostering regulations in place in the UK for 60 years. Following the tragic death of Victoria Climbie the regulations were amended.

Each Local Authority should have a Private Fostering Officer, who has responsibility for assessing the arrangement, in order to ensure that the child’s need are being met. Following the assessment, visits are made to the child and carer, once every six weeks in the first year and then once every 12 weeks after that.

Looking after someone else’s child can be a big responsibility. Part of the role of the Private Fostering Officer is to advise and support  private foster carers.

If you know about a private fostering arrangement please ring the Contact and Referral Team  Tel No - 0808 100727 or the Private Fostering Officer Tel No – 02920 808571.

 

Children and Dogs: Safety Advice for Parents, Carers and Babysitters

Many families have a dog and children and young people also come into contact with dogs whilst playing and they are rarely harmed.  However, it is important to remember that even the most friendly dog is still an animal and there have been some high profile cases of children having been seriously hurt or even killed by a dog.  In a number of these cases, owners have not had the slightest hint that the dog could become violent and attack a child.

In response to this, Caerphilly Safeguarding Children Board has developed a leaflet for parents and carers which contains some do's and don'ts about keeping children safe when they are in contact with dogs. This leaflet is available in a number of public spaces such as Libraries, GP surgeries and Leisure centres and can be donloaded from this website. Additional hard copies of the leaflet can be obtained from the Board Co-ordinator Zarah Newman, who can be contacted on 01443 864798 or newmaz@caerphilly.gov.uk

 

Techno Safe: A guide for parents and carers: keeping children safe with technology

Technology like the Internet can be great fun and provides opportunities for your children to learn and develop. However, it also has some hidden dangers that you need to be aware of in order to keep children and young people safe.

Read our Techno Safe guide to find out how to stay safe online.

Caerphilly Safeguarding Children Board is launching a campaign in September 2011 to raise awareness with parents and carers about the potential risks that technology poses to children and young people and to advise them of where they can access advice and support about this subject.

Here are the addresses of some websites that contain useful advice for parents and carers about keeping their children safe when they use technology.

thinkuknow.co.uk

uk.myfone.mobi

clickcleverclicksafe.direct.gov.uk

Consultation with Children and Young People - Digital Story

Caerphilly Safeguarding Children Board has recently undertaken consultation with children and young people in Caerphilly. We asked them about safe relationships, drug and alcohol misuse, general safety issues and safety with technology. This digital story was compiled using their comments on the day.

 

What is Child Abuse?

 

Useful Documents

 

Useful Links

  • Child Exploitation and Online Protection

    The Child Exploitation and Online Protection service (CEOP) provides information and advice for parents on how to keep their children safe online.  It also allows you to confidentially report any online behaviour that worries or concerns you.
    www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

  • Directgov - Keeping children safe online

    This is a Government resource about keeping children safe online.
    www.direct.gov.uk

  • Click Clever Click Safe

    This is a Government campaign which aims to provide practical suggestions to parents about keeping their child safe.
    clickcleverclicksafe.direct.gov.uk

  • Safe use for mobile phones

    This provides a guide for parents about safe use of the mobile phone.
    www.myfone.mobi

  • Child’s Rights Information Network

    Provides information and advice to children and young people about staying safe online.
    www.crin.org

  • Family Information Service

    The Family Information Service (FIS) provides free advice and information on a wide range of childcare options and activities for children aged 0-10, their families and their carers. This includes information on nurseries, childminders, out of school clubs, playgroups and parent and toddler groups.
    www.caerphilly.gov.uk/fis

  • Parent Network

    Parent Network encourages parents to take part in planning and developing services for children, young people and their families in Caerphilly County Borough.  It also provides useful advice and information for parents.
    www.parentcaer.org.uk

  • Safer Caerphilly

    Provides information on anti social behaviour, substance misuse and domestic violence and what is being done to address these issues in Caerphilly County Borough.
    www.caerphilly.gov.uk/saferccb

  • Your Family Friend: Support and help for parents and guardians in Wales

    This leaflet shows you where to find grants and funding to help you juggle family budgets.
    It explains how to access free help and guidance on a wide range of family issues, including:

    • free school meals
    • schools uniform grant
    • educational maintenance allowance
    • minority ethnic achievement grant
    • childcare

    Your Family Friend: Support and help for parents and guardians in Wales (PDF, 548kb)