Foster Carers Survey

Foster Carer – Online Safety Survey Report

The report presents the results of an online survey conducted during 2016 in which over 300 Foster Carers participated. Those who participated care for young people in the age range 0-17, 24% of whom are aged between 5 and 10, with the majority of 58% in the 11-17 age band. The survey sought to gather information in relation to the key issues and concerns Foster Carers had in relation to online safety for the children and young people for whom they care.

The responses indicate that 56% of children and young people in care have been exposed to further risk of harm resulting from use of the Internet. Social Media sites, including Facebook, have been cited as the main conduits.

Of that 56%, the issues experienced include:


  • 21% - Cyber Bullying
  • 20% - Inappropriate Contact 
  • 17% - Accessing Inappropriate Sites
  • 12% - Grooming/Attempted Grooming
    Young people in care are widely considered the most vulnerable children in society today. There are approximately 93,000 children in care in the UK, over 74,000 in England alone, 74% of whom are cared for in Foster Placements. It is estimated that 60% of those have been taken into care due to abuse or neglect.

    Research published by the Children’s Commissioner in 2012 states that some 20-35% of children who are sexually exploited are from this group.
    Foster Carers indicate that more needs to be done by large corporations (e.g. Internet Service Providers & Internet Presences (e.g. Google, Facebook) to help them protect this particularly vulnerable group of young people.

    Based on our experience of working with Foster Carers, the results come as no surprise but we felt it would be helpful to have some quantifiable data to indicate the scale and nature of the problem. Feedback received indicates a consistent challenge with regard to parental control setting and the lack of flexibility the current facilities offer for Foster Carers.

    When asked ‘What challenges have you had whilst providing a safe internet access environment in the home?’, only 13% indicated they had no challenges, the balance responding as follows:
    • 23% - I don’t know what controls to apply or where to apply them
    • 23% - Setting controls for children makes access too complicated for others
    • 21% - I need more training in applying age appropriate controls
    • 20% - I know what to do but I don’t want to mess things up
    We believe the results of the survey do adequately reflect the concerns that carers express during training and think it is of vital importance that Internet Service Providers continue to increase the support they provide. The ‘one size fits all’ approach just does not work for this group of parents and it is imperative that more granular controls are made available to help protect the vulnerable young people they care for.
    In response to demand from 
    Foster Carers, Guardian Saints now deliver ‘hands on’ practical training to help with setting controls at Device, Router and ISP levels
    Discover more
    Feedback indicates positive benefits to this approach, with attendees saying that:
     
    ‘Information was clear & practical task really helped’ 

    ..and of most use was:

     ‘Practical tasks & being shown how to actually implement safety features.’
    In the foreword to the report, Tink Palmer MBE, CEO of  Marie Collins Foundation states that what is required is : ‘a comprehensive approach to this issue – one that encompasses sound over-riding policies from which appropriate guidelines are drawn up, adequate training is provided and appropriate support is available.’1

    1Marie Collins Foundation was founded five years ago by Professor Tink Palmer, a leading authority on child sexual abuse. The Foundation works with victims of online sexual abuse and their families to help them recover and to ensure survivors can go on to lead safe and fulfilling lives. It provides training to frontline professionals in this field and is involved in campaigning to rid the internet of indecent images of children.
    If you have any questions regarding the report or about the work we do, please email: keepmesafe@guardiansaints.com. 

    To download the full report please click the button below:
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