Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services which sought its view on the Council’s Corporate Parenting Strategy which set out how the County Council would meet its statutory duties and responsibilities for children in care and care leavers until 2029.  A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 12’ is filed with these minutes.

Arising from discussion, the following points were made:

(i)           A member asked for clarification on the changes to the strategy, noting that these appeared to be minor. Members were advised that the changes were primarily intended to ensure that the strategy remained up to date and reflected relevant new legislation and guidance.

(ii)         Nationally, care leavers were over-represented among young people who were not in education, employment or training. It was reported that the Council had a focused area of work through the Virtual School, the 16-plus service and apprenticeship routes to try and address.

(iii)        Members recognised that, because of the trauma experienced by some young people, those aged 16 to 18 might not always be ready to engage fully in education or training opportunities. The Committee therefore welcomed the fact that support for care leavers continued up to the age of 25, when some young people might be better placed to take up such opportunities. Members also noted the importance of ensuring that a range of pathways were available, including university, apprenticeships and vocational or trade-based routes, so that young people could pursue options best suited to their interests and abilities.

(iv)       In response to a question about digital poverty, members were advised that support was provided to ensure care leavers had access to appropriate equipment, including IT kit and phones, so that they were not disadvantaged. Personal advisers also supported young people with applications and practical tasks in a way that a parent or carer might otherwise do. Members noted that consideration was being given to establishing hubs in localities to provide accessible support for young people.

(v)         A Member queried what data was available regarding the number of care leavers that accessed university and apprenticeships and the number of those identified as having special educational needs and disabilities. The Director undertook to provide further data to Members after the meeting.

(vi)       Members welcomed the inclusion of the promise to children and young people and the evidence that the voice of young people had informed the strategy.

(vii)      A member asked about elected member representation on the Corporate Parenting Board and noted that members had not been asked to make nominations. It was explained that member champions had previously been established to support children in care and care leavers following a member review, but that the current position was being reviewed to determine whether that model remained appropriate.  A Member commented that this work should be progressed urgently if the Council wished to strengthen its approach to corporate parenting.

(viii)    Members emphasised the importance of all political groups being able to feed into this work and being appropriately represented, given that corporate parenting was a responsibility for all members. It was suggested that an all member briefing should be provided to reemphasise to all members their corporate parenting responsibilities.

(ix)       A member suggested that, as the strategy had been contributed to by children and young people, consideration should be given to presenting it in a format that was accessible and engaging for them, including through an App or other alternative media. The Committee was advised that children in care had produced a video, which had been shown to children and young people, explaining corporate parenting.

(x)         Members queried the extent to which the Council could support looked after children and care leavers to access opportunities that families might otherwise provide, including activities linked to their interests, access to technology, holidays and work experience. It was recognised that there was a balance to be struck, as many families across the county also faced financial pressures.  The Director advised that payments to children’s homes included provision for activities, pocket money and holidays, and that this would be considered as part of the review to ensure that arrangements were working effectively.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the Council’s Corporate Parenting Strategy which set out how the County Council would meet its statutory duties and responsibilities for children in care and care leavers until 2029 be noted;

(b)  That the Director be requested to provide further information on care leaver data, including figures relating to those that accessed university and apprenticeships, and those identified as having SEND;

(c)   That the Director be requested to consider elected member involvement in the Corporate Parenting Board and the member champion model and that an all member briefing be provided to reemphasise members corporate parenting responsibilities.