Agenda item

Report from the Chief Executive.

Councillor Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills presented the report on the Corporate Parenting Strategy and Corporate Parenting Panel Annual Report and moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Peter Hutton.

Councillor Mayes thanked those who worked all year to support children in care and emphasised that all Members of the Council were corporate parents for those 467 looked after children and 175 care experienced young people aged between 18-21. The strategic priorities had been refreshed in consultation with young people, and details were provided on ongoing efforts to recruit new foster carers and monitoring work by the Corporate Parenting Panel of relevant data and engagement with the young people.

The council then heard from Nebraska Hayward, a care leaver currently at university, on her experiences of care and the support she had received. The Chairman thanked Nebraska on behalf of the council for speaking about her experiences with them.

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

Councillor Philip Whitehead, Leader of the Council, thanked Nebraska for her contribution and emphasised the huge importance of the council’s work with looked after children, and thanked officers and carers for their efforts in the past year, made more difficult with the Coronavirus pandemic. He challenged all Members including himself to consider if they knew anyone who might be suitable and consider becoming a foster carer.

Councillor Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, endorsed the comments made including praising Nebraska for speaking to the meeting. He praised Councillor Mayes for her leadership in such a vital area which could transform lives.

Councillor Ernie Clark, Leader of the Independent Group, thanked Nebraska for her comments, welcomed the report and thanked officers for their work

Councillor Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Labour Group, added his thanks to Nebraska, and noted the comprehensive nature of the report, and the complexity of devising support packages for the hundreds of young people in the council’s care.

The item was then opened for general debate. Chairman of the Children’s Select Committee, Councillor Jon Hubbard, confirmed that as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic the Committee had not been able to consider the report at a formal meeting, but a briefing had been arranged with himself and the Vice-Chairman for comment before publication.

During debate the quality and detail of the report for the year was noted, along with positive details relating to the stability of care placements despite the Coronavirus pandemic and the use of virtual health checks to conduct some form of health assessment in a timely manner.

Other issues raised including how further increase the numbers of council foster carers, and if there were lessons that could be learned from similar, rural authorities on placement of children within 20 miles of their homes, though it was noted this could be difficult. Comments were made about improvements which had been made within the fostering service which the council could be proud of, but that there should no complacency and the council should seek to have the very highest standards possible. Support for children struggling with their education was also raised.

Councillor Mayes thanked Members for their words in debate, and stated the council was ambitious for the outcomes for its care leavers, but recognised that things could still improve, and would look to take advantage changing situations to do so where possible, including greater use of virtual contact methods if appropriate.

At the conclusion of debate, it was,

Resolved:

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

2)    To receive and approve the revised Corporate Parenting Strategy attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

3)    To receive and note the Annual Report of the Children in Care Council 2019/20 attached as Appendix 2 to the report.