Agenda item

This report outlines the rationale, activity, themes, and recommendations to consider a new Corporate Parenting Approach

The Corporate Parenting Panel considered the report of the Review of the Corporate Parenting Approach. The Subject Matter Expert, Jane Scott, shared a presentation addressing the different options available for young people, which was contained within the report.

In summary, officers held consultation meetings with the EMPIRE group and other children looked after, foster carers, social workers and personal assistants, partner agencies and Members all on separate occasions and received substantial feedback from them which was addressed within the report. The consultations with each group had concluded with the following key themes including:

-        Development of co-chair with young people taking on that role

-        Development of sub-groups or shadowing (to work alongside co-produce and share agreed core activities and feedback to Corporate Parenting Panel)

-        Programme visits and meetings in care experienced young people’s chosen environment

-        Development of guides and information for different audiences on role, function and focus of the Corporate Parenting Panel

-        Development of a Corporate Parenting Strategy for the Council as a whole

The Chair thanked officers for the intensive work on the strategy.

The Panel reviewed:

-        The approach on making sessions and meetings more accommodating for young people in aid to have their voices heard and feeling empowered.

-        The six-monthly workshops would be a key milestone of achievement addressing the positives, strengths, motivational work and learning.  This was another way to be with the young children and understand their experience, and further review the approach consistently.

-        Other departments and partners understanding of corporate parenting was a general understanding, and more was required to develop a corporate parenting strategy for the whole Council and partner agencies.

-        The positive approach to include children with disabilities (CWD) in the consultation.

-        Other groups within the community had contributed.

-        Best practice in the engagement with young people and their health assessments was considered.

-        The timeframe for the completion of the strategy was end March 2023.

-        The project management team within CYPE had been involved providing different models and options of Corporate Parenting Panels.

-        The corporate parenting panel approach would be reviewed in the six-monthly workshops and the model would be refreshed to see that it was achievable and keeping children as the centre.

The Chair was positive of the approach following the consultations that took place and looked at the gaps that need to be explored further such as the SEND, CWD, voluntary sector and making contact with businesses. The key themes outlined were welcomed by all Members of the Panel and agreed that the strategy was a work in progress.

In conclusion, the Panel discussed and noted that more work was required to ensure the experiences of children and young people are connected to the delivery of services to children, that lead to their success in life, which is what the young people deserved.

The Panel RESOLVED: To consider the Corporate Parenting Strategy to be developed going forward:

1. A Corporate Parenting Strategy to be developed going forward.

2. A new approach to the Corporate Parenting Panel that incorporates the development of a co-chair with the CYPE lead member.

3. A pilot subgroup, which creates a safer space for children and young peoples lived experience to be heard and applied to a specific focussed priority.

4. The visibility and function of the new Corporate Parenting Approach is supported by information and guides alongside a programme of visits to meet with children, young people and care providers, which informs the understanding of how the new approach will make a difference and have an improved impact on children’s outcomes.