Agenda item

Report from the Corporate Director - People

Councillor Peter Hutton, Portfolio holder for Safeguarding and Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Panel presented the  Corporate Parenting Panel Annual Report and moved the recommendations as set out in the report, which were seconded by Councillor Jane Davies.

Councillor Hutton thanked those who worked to support children in care and reported that the role of Wiltshire’s Corporate Parenting Panel is to secure Councillor involvement and commitment throughout the Council to deliver better outcomes for children and young people who are looked after or care experienced. All Councillors were reminded that they have responsibilities as a “corporate parent” for children and young people who are Looked After in Wiltshire. 

Councillor Hutton commented specifically on the Corporate Parenting Strategy eight priorities, the development of the Child and Youth Voice Team, the Fostering Excellence programme and impact of Covid-19.

The report gave an overview on the Panel’s work programme, the scrutiny of performance, the Corporate Parenting Strategy, details and data within the key service areas, challenges/successes during Covid-19, progress since the 2019 Ofsted inspection, the Panel’s impact and ambition, the work of the Safeguarding Children and Young People Panel and planned next steps to further strengthen Corporate Parenting in Wiltshire. The report was reviewed by the Children’ Select Committee Standing Task Group on 22 September 2021 and by the Corporate Parenting Panel at their meeting on 28 September 2021.

The council then heard from officers Jo Sutton and Cameron Strosen, who presented a brief summary of the year’s activities of the Child and Youth Voice Team. Members were encouraged to promote involvement in the Youth Council to their local schools. The Chairman thanked Jo and Cameron on behalf of the council for speaking about the Child and Youth Voice Team.

The Chairman then invited Group Leaders to comment on the report and presentations received.

Councillor Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, reiterated earlier comments that all Councillors were corporate parents with responsibilities and a role to play. He welcomed the comments about the Youth Council and urged all Members to speak with their local schools about involvement.

Councillor Gordon King, on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group, welcomed the report and endorsed the comments made and acknowledged his responsibility as a corporate. He was pleased to hear about the Youth Council and the work they were involved with.

Councillor Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Labour Group, added his thanks to Jo and Cameron, and noted the comprehensive nature of the report and commended it to the Council.

The item was then opened for general debate. Councillor Jon Hubbard Chairman of the Children’s Select Committee confirmed that in accordance with the agreed overview and scrutiny arrangements the draft annual Corporate Parenting Panel report was considered by the Children’s Select Committee’s standing task group on 22 September 2021. He was pleased to report that of the 15 recommendations arising from the Task Group meetings 13 had been adopted, 1 would be included in future reports and 1 was not actioned but he hoped this could be in future. The extent of data reporting included was praised and the work of the Child and Youth Voice Team to focus on the voice of young people in care. He also highlighted a number of areas for improvement including the ongoing need to narrow the gap in relation to achievements for those in care and those in birth homes. He thanked members and staff for the work they do, and especially the Foster Carers. The Youth Council was an exciting opportunity for the voice of the young community to be heard and he encouraged representation from all schools on the Youth Council.   

Other comments received in debate included the need to support young people not currently in care who needed help and assistance, and the need to identify where they needed that support even if not yet in care.    

At the conclusion of debate, it was,

Resolved:

1)    To receive and note the Annual Report and the work of the Corporate Parenting Panel to date, its functions and impact of its work and to ratify the improvements required to further strengthen Corporate Parenting in Wiltshire.

2)    To receive and note the Annual Report of the Children in Care Council 2020/21 attached as Appendix 2 to the report.