Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services, concerning the approval of the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2028, which outlined the refreshed vision, values, strategic priorities, and approach to embedding corporate parenting responsibilities across all departments and services.

A Member requested information on the involvement of young people in the governance and implementation of the strategy. The response was that the Children in Care Council was the main governing body in which the City Corporation consulted with and engaged on an ongoing basis. There was also an annual independent survey which informed the Strategy. Feedback was also provided via case work, social care workers, and complaints and compliments service.

The criterion for care leavers not feeling safe was queried, as the data showed that approximately 1 in 4 did not feel safe. The response that the primary area of safety concerned mental health, and support was provided in those cases. As the annual independent survey was anonymous this did present challenges when these issues were reported via that platform, but officers would work with its providers to help target areas of concern if they could be identified. Officers also met with the Children in Care Council on a regular basis and discussed a range of topics which included safety.

The Committee agreed that the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2028 should be submitted to the Court of Common Council, to raise awareness of the City Corporation and Elected Members statutory duties to act as a corporate parent for children in care and care leavers.

RESOLVED: - that Members of the Community & Children’s Services Committee:

·       Sign off the draft Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2028.

·       Submit the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2028 to the Court of Common Council.