http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/6334887.stm

I find it very unsettling when the rules and regulations now are supposed to be more strict than ever and then hear about sickos like these foster carers looking after vulnerable children.

Something is certanly wrong with the system, What else can be done to prevent this from happening again?

This is why I worry about taking children out of a safe enviroment where there are several carers and other young people their own age and isolating them with people who are able to be monstrous to the children they are entrusted with. I know checks are done but to what avail? The children are happy to be among friends of their own age in homes that cater for several children, self monitoring exists between the staff and there is saftey in numbers.

There are also plenty of childrens homes were the staff have abused kids as well, but you do have a point as at least they are better monitored and as you said safety in numbers, however kids should have the chance of been fostered for a more 'traditional family upbringing' which would benefit children tremendously with the right foster parents.

There are also plenty of childrens homes were the staff have abused kids as well, but you do have a point as at least they are better monitored and as you said safety in numbers, however kids should have the chance of been fostered for a more 'traditional family upbringing' which would benefit children tremendously with the right foster parents.I think foster homes are a bit like the small homes I'm familiar with that have perhaps ten children in them except they have more staff than the foster parents. But foster homes are good and don't forget school teachers are trained to spot tell tale signs of abuse although it isn't always easy to see, perhaps better monitoring would help and don't forget children anywhere can be abused, this is why Esther Ransom set up the child help line? I suppose the carers threaten the children against complaining? They say the abuse generally comes from those who are closet to them?

The reason why kids are taken into care can vary but abuse is obviously going to be a prority, also i can imagine many sickos wanting to adopt children so maybe practices, and procedures applied to a specific branch of carers needs to be enforced to ensure this is properly monitored, however this will cost money and its sad but i dont think many will be wanting to pay more taxes for this to be properly implemented.

Anyone one remember the story that made headlines in the 50s i think, a little girl was abused by her parents so badly she later died, they would send her out in a morning with an old pram that she had to fill with coal then push it back up a steep hill, make the fire for them before going to school , a really sad but interesting story, not sure if it was inSheffield though, but her picture was in all the papers.

The reason why kids are taken into care can vary but abuse is obviously going to be a prority, also i can imagine many sickos wanting to adopt children so maybe practices, and procedures applied to a specific branch of carers needs to be enforced to ensure this is properly monitored, however this will cost money and its sad but i dont think many will be wanting to pay more taxes for this to be properly implemented.

Raising the money is a problem and it is something the general public don’t see any return on so they are not going to be very happy, but there are a lot of hidden costs that we don’t see, the ones that are visible are graffiti cleaning, chewing gum removal, fly poster removal, have you noticed the number of street cleaners and litter pickers around lately, then there are the town center ambassadors, fire regulations mean stair-wells have to be kept clear and the list is endless and the tax payer isn’t generally aware of all the work that goes on and I’m sure if money can be found for these things then I feel funds must be found to protect the vulnerable.

Mind you talking about inspectors, I think it happens anyway, I was in a unit when an inspector came, he walked round by himself and talked to the clients. I mentioned it to one of the staff and she said he comes every month, but I don’t know if this happens everywhere.

have you noticed, incidentally, that this wicked, evil couple are straight Grahame?

I think a reassessment of the word 'straight' is required here PT.
These people are the true deviants, 'live and let live' no longer applies in these circumstances.

There was a case like this in Sheffield a few years ago,

You have to remember that these foster carers cared for children in the 70s-90s - things are much tougher these days - as new foster carers, my husband and I feel like we are being watched 24/7 and everything we do is scrutinised - you feel like you have to be a "super-parent" and not put a step out of of place - it makes life more difficult for the foster carer, but hopefully better and safer for the children in foster care these days.