Agenda item

(To receive a report and presentation from Andrew Morris, Corporate Parenting Manager, which provides the Committee with an overview of the Council's Corporate Parenting responsibilities)  

Consideration was given to a report from Andy Morris, Corporate Parenting Manager, which outlined what the Council's corporate parenting responsibilities were and how good corporate parenting could greatly improve the lives and outcomes for young people.

Attached at Appendix A to the report was a copy of the Department for Education guidance document for local authorities entitled 'Applying Corporate Parenting Principles to Looked-After Children and Care Leavers' for the Committee's consideration.

The Chairman invited the Corporate Parenting Manager to present the report and provide the Committee with a presentation.

The presentation referred to:

·       The definition of a corporate parent as defined in the Children and Social Work Act 2017;

·       The seven legal principles as defined in the Act which define the corporate parenting role;

·       The number of young children in care;

·       The Council's approach shown to children in care and the aspirations for them;

·       Placements;

·       Who are care leavers;

·       The national position;

·       The local position; and

·       What more could be done by the Council to meet the needs of its young people.

During consideration of the report and the presentation the Committee raised the following comments: -

·       The Committee extended its thanks to the Corporate Parenting Manager for a very passionate and comprehensive presentation;

·       The need to ensure that all members of the Council were aware of their corporate parenting role; and to help them understand their role a Corporate Parenting training session had been arranged for 5 November 2021; and that all members should be encouraged to attend the training;

·       Whether there was any data relating to care leavers over the age of 25.  The Committee was advised that some of the care leavers continued to maintain contact with their children's home or foster home; and some examples were provided to the Committee.  The Committee noted that data was only available up to the age of 25 as the young people were left to enjoy their lives; but again, it was highlighted some care leavers still kept in contact with staff for that family support network;

·       Whether Children's Services had looked to implement good practice from other councils.  The Committee noted that the young people were engaged in all sorts of activities; and that this work was led by the Participation Team;

·       How the North Somerset offer as detailed on page 101 compared to the Lincolnshire offer.  The Committee noted that in Lincolnshire there was Council Tax relief (up to the age of 21) for all care leavers across all seven district councils and that most district councils were moving the age range to 25.  It was reported that every young person received a new homes grant of £2,000, which they could access.  Also, if a young person had a baby, they would also get an extra £500 to help them get set up, which was then matched by the district council in the area they lived.  The Council would also pay for things like clothes for interviews and provide help to them if they needed it;

·       District councils should be encouraged to help young people get free access to resources and facilities in their areas;

·       That all a report should be brought to the Committee explaining the role of a corporate parent; and how the Council responds to the seven principles and identify where there were any gaps in provision;

·       A suggestion was made to for the introduction of corporate parenting ambassadors for every scrutiny committee, who then linked into Children's Services;

·       The importance of having a home and what the young people and care leavers would class as their home;

·       The sensitive managing of visiting members to children's homes;

·       The opportunity for members to be involved in ‘Big Conversation’ events when restrictions allowed; and

·       The caring support offered by Baranardo's to care leavers and anyone involved in helping care leavers.  

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended his thanks to the Corporate Parenting Manager for his excellent report and presentation.    

RESOLVED

That the report and presentation on Corporate Parenting Responsibilities be received; and that the comments raised by the Committee be noted.

Alex Sayer (Parent Governor Representative) left the meeting at 11.55am; and Councillor S P Roe (Executive Support Councillor for Children’s Services, Community Safety and Procurement) left the meeting at 11.57am.