A CHRISTIAN couple have been barred from fostering because they occasionally smack their own daughter as "a last resort".

David and Heather Bowen, of Whitmore Road, Taunton, say they would never smack a foster child.

But they were rejected because of their discipline policy for their own child, Emma, 9.

Mrs Bowen, 47, a volunteer helper at Wellsprings Primary School, which Emma attends, said: "We've been open and honest - we smack Emma once or twice a year, but wouldn't smack a foster child.

"It's controlled, on the leg and legal.

"We sit her down and explain what she's done wrong. It's a last resort."

The couple hoped to foster after their second child, Jonathan, died an hour after birth from a genetic disorder.

She said: "We could provide a safe, loving environment, but they'd rather not do that, even though they're desperate for foster parents."

Mr Bowen, 41, a chartered surveyor and Wellsprings governor, said the process had taken a year and they had been unaware of any problems.

He added: "We use rewards and sanctions, mostly non-physical - maybe staying up or no television.

"We don't smack in anger or lash out - it's considered and controlled.

"When the panel turned us down, it felt like walking out of hospital without Jonathan - a sense of loss and grieving."

Linda Barnett, Somerset County Council's Head of Children's Services, said several factors are considered when selecting foster parents.

She added: "Where carers have a strong personal belief that differs from the Foster Carer Agreement, it's potentially unfair to expect them to operate to a set of guidelines which conflicts with this.

"This brings into sharp focus the issue of whether they'll be able to work alongside the local authority in caring for other people's children."

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