In the UK, foster parents who belong to right wing UKIP lose custody of ethnic minority children ...

[pampango]

British Foster Parents Lose Children Because of Their Politics

A political firestorm has kicked off in the U.K. after a middle-aged couple had three foster children from minority backgrounds taken out of their care last week because local social workers had learned of the couple’s political affiliation.

The couple, who have not been named in order to protect the children’s identities, live in Rotherham, a town in South Yorkshire, England, and had been caring for the three siblings since September. An anonymous tip informed local council services that the couple were members of the U.K. Independence Party (UKIP), a political group that campaigns for Britain’s succession from the European Union and restricting immigration. The couple told the Telegraph that when they questioned the children’s social worker and an official from their fostering agency about why the children were being removed, they were told that UKIP has “racist policies.”

The head of children’s services for Rotherham, Joyce Thacker, appeared on the BBC on Nov. 24 to defend the council’s decision. While she admitted that it was not council policy to remove children from homes based on the political views of the caregivers, she added “we have to take each case on its merits.” She noted that the children are the offspring of European immigrants and ethnic minorities and social workers had been particularly concerned that the children’s “cultural and ethnic needs” would not be looked after. Thacker also went on to add that the three children – a baby girl and an older boy and girl – were only temporarily placed with the couple in September. After being tipped off about the couple’s UKIP membership, social workers decided that an early removal would be best – despite the fact that there “was no question over the quality of care.”

UKIP describes itself as a libertarian party and has been, at times, controversial in the U.K. Among other things, the party advocates that Britain should withdraw from Europe and that there should be severe curbs on immigration. More relevant, however, are the statements in the party’s political manifesto that proclaim: “Multiculturalism has split our society.”

http://world.time.com/2012/11/27/british-foster-parents-lose-children-because-of-their-politics/

The story indicates that this couple has been foster parents for several years. The idea that white foster (or adoptive) parents might be problematic for minority children has been around for a long time. This case is even more complicated because the foster parents belong to a libertarian party that doesn't believe in immigration or multiculturalism which would seem to be at odds with the goal of raising minority immigrant children to become a part of British society.

[dipsydoodle]

1. The local social workers are daft in the head.

That's quite aside from having an appalling record :

Rochdale Council staff face action over sex grooming failures.

Council staff who failed to protect Rochdale youngsters from grooming by a sex ring face disciplinary action and could be struck off.

Rochdale Council confirmed 12 workers were being investigated and that one had already been suspended after a review criticised "staff deficiencies".

Nine men were convicted of running a child sex ring in the town in May.

Any of the 12 workers that have since left the council could be referred to the social workers' regulatory body.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-20486276

[T_i_B]

2. Your link is about Rochdale

The current furore is about Rotherham, on the right side of the Penines but still suffering from sex grooming scandals http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19701760

(If it's any comfort, I got the above link from one of your threads in the UK forum )

And to add the screw up, Rotherham is having a by-election tomorrow to replace their previous MP Dennis MacShane, who was caught fiddling his expenses.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Oh yes - my mistake

not that it makes a whole lot of difference once you get north of Luton.

Thanks for the correction. I honestly don't see the significance here of the foster parents being UKIP'rs given that what will affect those children the most will be school - not home life.

[T_i_B]

4. I agree. Plainly idiotic decision.

It's also a huge gift to UKIP.

[loli phabay]

5. lol at your digging at the north south divide

Though I thought Milton Keynes was the dividing line. Not sure how many ethnic minority foster families there are. Seems an idiotic move by the council if the couple have been successfully fosyering for a time.

[dipsydoodle]

7. Bit north of Milton Keynes.

As far as I'm aware the divide is usually referred to as being Watford Gap Northamptonshire wheresas I'm Watford Hertfordshire - "south of Luton" which is of course Bedfordshire

In a similar way I usually refer to anything south of the Thames being France.

[loli phabay]

8. thats it south of the Watford gap is the soft southerners. couldnt remember.

Loling at the France bit though.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Link to discussion in the UK group:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10882756

[T_i_B]

9. This is the more relevent thread from the UK forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10882731

This being the thread with a lot more focus on Rotherham social services.

And as you will clearly see, as someone who is reasonably local I'm not exactly bowled over by Rotherham Labour Party at the best of times.

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. Oops - yes, that was the one I meant to link to

The title of the one I did link to (without opening again) had a couple of similar subjects (UKIP and adoption/fostering), and I'd forgotten it wasn't the same thread.