Issue - meetings

Councillor Laura Mayes, Cabinet member for Children’s Services will present the Annual Report of the Corporate Parenting Panel.

At the Chairman’s invitation, Councillor Laura Mayes introduced this item. She explained that the role of the Corporate Parenting Panel was to secure Councillor involvement and commitment throughout the Council to deliver better outcomes for children and young people who were looked after. All Councillors were reminded of their responsibilities as a “corporate parent” for children and young people who were looked after in Wiltshire.

Councillor Alan Macrae, Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding presented and guided Council through the Annual Report on the Corporate Parenting Panel.

A presentation was made by Bethany Lewis, Jo Harris and Claire Ashton discussing their work as Children in Care Council members and their experiences.

Councillor Macrae expressed his warm thanks for the excellent presentation, thanked members for their generous donations of Christmas presents and encouraged their attendance at future Panel meetings. Furthermore, he thanked Lisa Pullin, Democratic Services Officer, for her hard work in supporting the Panel meetings and Karen Reid, Head of Service for Virtual Schools and the young people who had contributed so successfully to the meetings of the Panel.

The Chair added his thanks for the excellent presentation.

Councillor Jon Hubbard, as a member of the Panel, gave thanks to the officers who supported their work, encouraged Members to visit Aspire House and to attend future Panel meetings.

Resolved:

(a)          To receive and note the Annual Report of the Corporate Parenting Panel and ratify the improvements required to strengthen Corporate Parenting in Wiltshire.

(b)          To Record the Council’s thanks for the young people who presented, namely Bethany Lewis, Jo Harris and Claire Ashton.

Councillor Laura Mayes, Cabinet member for Children’s Services will present the Annual Report of the Corporate Parenting Panel.

Councillor Laura Mayes introduced this item.

The role of the Corporate Parenting Panel was to secure Councillor involvement and commitment throughout the Council to deliver better outcomes for children and young people who were looked after. All Councillors were reminded of their responsibilities as a “corporate parent” for children and young people who were looked after in Wiltshire.

Councillor Alan Macrae, Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding presented and guided Council through the Annual Report on the Corporate Parenting Panel. A slide show was presented which showcased initiatives and activities held in support of looked after children.

A presentation was made by Miss Tara Hall, a care leaver who read a very inspiring speech she had previously given at a national conference in October 2013. The speech captured her own personal experience of her education prior to and on becoming looked after by Wiltshire Council. The speech was  very well received by members prompting a standing ovation.

Resolved:

To receive and note the Annual Report of the Corporate Parenting Panel and ratify the improvements required to strengthen Corporate Parenting in Wiltshire.