Smoking rules put in place to protect foster children

Councillors in Aberdeen have approved new rules to protect children from being placed with foster carers or adopters who smoke.

It was agreed that smokers will no longer be recruited to care for children who are under the age of five, have respiratory problems, are from a non-smoking birth family or have a disability which means they are unable to play outside.

The local authority has admitted that the changes mean a number of prospective adopters and foster carers will be turned away.

But social work committee members were warned yesterday that the council could face legal action in the future if the health of youngsters who are placed with smokers is damaged.

A plan to introduce a total ban on smokers from looking after youngsters was withdrawn by social work convener Jim Kiddie in November.

Officials were asked to look again at the proposed smoking policy, amid concern that the measures were too draconian, with an amended set of rules agreed yesterday.

Existing foster carers will be “encouraged” to stop smoking within a year of their next annual review, under the policy.

All carers will also be advised to always smoke outside and never in the house or in a car when a child is present.

Speaking at yesterday’s social work committee meeting, Mr Kiddie said: “What we are asked to do is approve a policy and remember our duty is to protect children.

“For those who may find it impossible to stop smoking we are asking for a sense of responsibility and we would expect them to go out the back door and not smoke in front of children.”

Opposition Conservative councillor Alan Donnelly expressed doubts about the plan.

“What I am concerned about with this is that there is an anti-smoking agenda and I’m always frightened of prohibition,” he said.

“It’s a very difficult thing to police. This could lead to a drinking policy as well.

“Are we going to say we want foster carers to drink out the back door?”

The rules were agreed unanimously despite the concerns.

Labour’s social work spokesman Len Ironside said: “I think this is a very progressive policy and it’s good we are promoting something like this.”

The majority of local authorities and government agencies in Scotland are believed to have similar policies in place for carers.

City council officials will investigate whether nicotine replacement therapy products, such as electronic cigarettes, could be provided to help people stop.

Deputy council leader Kevin Stewart said: “Maybe before we were being a bit draconian, but now I think we’ve got it right.”