Newsletter for Parish Priests and Deacons in the Diocese of Westminster Produced by the Catholic Children’s Society Issue No.8 Date: September 2013
Being a Star of Hope In his inaugural homily, Pope Francis called upon us to be a ‘A star of hope shining brightly’. We do this as priests and deacons, not only through the celebration of the Mass and by proclaiming the Word of God which are a message of hope, but also through our many daily pastoral encounters through which we seek to incarnate the love of God in our contemporary world. It is in the lived reality of their daily life that parishioners will often seek our help and advice as clergy. Despite expectations of us, we cannot know everything, none of us do. Sometimes parishioners just need the reassurance of knowing that someone has listened to them and that they care. I am reminded of one of Mgr. Phelim Rowland, Chairman of the Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster) the mothers who attends St Francis Family Centre in Poplar. Let us call her Mary. Whilst she greatly appreciated the support from the staff at the centre, Mary was moved to tears by the thought that someone, whom she had never met, cared enough to donate gifts for her children at Christmas. Struggling on a low income, she was literally overwhelmed that someone somewhere cared about her family and that her perception of the world as a place where it seemed everyone just cared about themselves was wrong. The gifts were not just material, they were also a message of hope. Sometimes, having listened to parishioners, we need to refer them on to someone who is able to give them the appropriate professional advice. In this edition of REV, as in previous editions, we are offering information about two possible situations where you may need to refer on. One relates to the possible impact of welfare reforms and the other is what is called ‘private fostering’. You may recall that Victoria Climbié who died at the hands of her great aunt and her boyfriend, was privately fostered. I hope that you will find these two articles of helpful. There are many of our parishioners who would want to help families like that of Mary and I include information about how they may help the Society with our Friends programme. Thank you for being a star of hope shining brightly. Mgr. Phelim Rowland
Friends Here at CCS we are privileged to be supported by loyal Parishioners’ who have set up a standing order to donate monthly. This income provides stability for the Society enabling us to continue delivering vital front line intervention services at the point of need. Sadly, over the last few years we have seen the number of people donating on a regular monthly basis fall to just over 350. Many of our regular supporters were old boys and girls from our homes or people who have either adopted or been adopted through the Society and who have/are coming to the end of their lives. To continue our work to its fullest potential and to be ‘the word in body as well as spirit’ (Pope Francis) we need to ask people to consider donating monthly via our new Friends programme. Over the coming months our newly recruited Parish Development Officer Megan Barzaq will be contacting Parishes to arrange with you to conduct very short presentations after Mass to raise awareness of our work and seek monthly subscriptions. We know that you have many requestes for assistance but as a Catholic charity we kindly ask for your support in our campaign.
Private Fostering and the Law You may be aware, or become aware, that a child in your Parish is being looked after by someone other than their parent or a close relative. If the child is under the age of 16 (or 18 if disabled) and the arrangement was made by the parent and lasts 28 days or longer, then this is defined in law as a private fostering arrangement. In such circumstances the local authority, in which the child resides, has a statutory duty to offer advice and support to the carers. It is a legal offence, under Children Act legislation, not to notify the local authority of any private fostering arrangement. Carers who are classified as being private foster carers are: • An extended family member such as a cousin or great aunt. • A friend of the parent, or a neighbour. Those who are not classified as private foster carers are: • Step-parents. • Close relatives e.g. grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts. These do not have to notify the local authority of their arrangement to care for a child. Private fostering arrangements are made for a variety of reasons including a parent visiting family overseas; a parent working away from home; imprisonment or
hospitalisation of a parent; a difficult relationship between the parent(s) and child; a young person wanting to live with the family of their boyfriend or girlfriend. The role of the local authority in monitoring a private fostering arrangement is to: • Confirm that the private fostering arrangement meets the statutory definition and then to: • Undertake a full assessment of the child’s needs • Regularly visit the private foster carer and child in their home to speak to them • Speak to the parent(s) of the child • Provide help and advice where necessary, including parenting support, advice on health, education and financial support • Help in bringing those families in crisis back together. Should you encounter a private fostering arrangement the appropriate advice to give to the carer(s) and the parent(s) if known to you, is to explain that if they have not already done so, they should contact their local authority via the town hall and to speak to someone in the social services department to inform them that they have a private fostering arrangement. In doing this, they will avoid committing a legal offence and will be able to get support for their private fostering arrangement. Any professional, including priests and deacons, have a responsibility and should report the arrangements to the local authority.
Unable to Pay the Rent? Being moved 'up north!'
It's Christmas
The recently introduced overall benefit cap of £500 per week and the “bedroom tax”, together with the local housing allowance cap, which was introduced last year, may leave some families where the adults are out of work and on benefits, unable to pay their rent. This may result in the local authority moving them to an area in which rents are cheaper. This may include outer London boroughs or areas outside of the South-East.
Yes, the most Catholic Ch ildren Christmas ’s Society wonderful time Cards Please take of the year is just a catalogue around the corner and a chance for you and your Parishioners’ to purchase Christmas Cards from CCS. Or order onli
www.cathc
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hild.org.uk
“...Please join with me in supporting the the Christmas Society to keep message shinin brightly throu g gh its missi on to children in need...” - Archbishop
The Discretionary Housing Payment is used by the local authority to help families in crisis. The grounds for funding are discretionary – as the title of the funding suggests but the grounds on which it may be allocated could include: • A child about to undertake GCSE’s/SAT’s • Cases of domestic violence • A child in the process of being statemented by the school As circumstances of families vary greatly, the requests for help with discretionary payments are considered on a case by case basis. An application refused by a housing department may be considered again, and more favourably, with input from a children’s social care team or social services. Overall, there is nothing to be lost by a family seeking help through the Discretionary Housing Payment. Further information available from: www.dwp.gov.uk/discretionary-housing-payments-guide.pdf Follow us:
Registered Charity 210920 Designed and printed in house by The Catholic Children’s Society
Vincent Nichol
Registered
s-
Charity 210920
With this newsletter we enclose a poster and a number of flyers to promote our cards. I should be grateful if you could please arrange for the poster to be displayed in a prominant position and the Christmas Catalogues to either be placed on seats prior to Mass or left at the back of the Church for Parishioners’ to pick up please. Many Thanks.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact Rosemary Keenan CEO on 020 8969 5305 or by email rosemaryk@cathchild.org.uk