Agenda item

[Alice Vickers, Corporate Parenting Officer and Kyron Hughes, Vice-Chair Children in Care Council, will give a joint presentation on corporate parenting, the responsibilities of Councillors and the work of the Children in Care Council]

Alice Vickers, Corporate Parenting Officer, presented the report.  Corporate Parenting Officer explained that Kyron Hughes was unable to attend the meeting. Cllr O’Neil suggested that the presentation be deferred to a future meeting.

Corporate Parenting Officer outlined the responsibilities of the Council and local partners to meet work together to meet the needs of Looked After Children.

Corporate Parenting Officer outlined the important role of Councillors to support young people to get the best outcomes for Looked After Children (LAC). Corporate Parenting Officer encouraged Councillors to think about the impact of policies, initiatives and services on LAC in their meetings.

Corporate Parenting Officer updated the panel on the positive impact on Children in Care Council members who have their monthly meetings in the Council Chamber. The meetings are used to talk about policies and procedures and interview heads of service. Corporate Parenting Officer commented on the links between members Children in Care Council and Wolverhampton Council and work being done to build relationships. Corporate Parenting Officer commented on the range of work being done to support Looked After Children, for example, six weekly joint meetings with Youth Council to get their voices heard.

Representatives of the Children in Care Council are attending a conference in Birmingham

Panel welcomed the report.

The panel made the following comments about the report.

·         The panel commented on concerns about how LAC cope with the number of professionals who would typically be in contact during the year and also the work done to reduce the number  of changes in social worker allocated to their case. Corporate Parenting Officer explained the Total Respect training is an opportunity to share their feelings.  In addition, links are being made with Wolverhampton Council to encourage LAC to talk to other young people. Emma Bennett, Service Director Children and Young People, outlined the range of work done to review the number of people who are in contact with LAC. Service Director outlined the work done to minimise the number of changes in social workers in contact with the LAC.

·         The panel queried evidence to show progress in meeting the corporate parenting priorities listed in the report. Corporate Parenting Officer explained that a range of representatives from different agencies are involved in delivering the priorities. In the commissioning process organisations are asked how they can support care leavers. Organisations will have to provide evidence that they are delivering on their commitments to LAC.  Members of CIC have been involved in drafting a set of bank questions that bidders will asked to respond. This work is part of wider efforts to involve LAC in decisions that will affect them and get services to think about their needs.

·         The panel queried progress on achieving priorities set by the Children in Care Council.  Corporate Parenting Officer gave an examples of the work done to deliver priority 9 – making placements more positive  and commented on the work done with representatives of the voluntary sector and school to look at opportunities to promote the needs of children in care.

·         Cllr Val Gibson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, commented on her positive experience of the Total Respect training session and encouraged Cllrs to attend to get a better understanding of the issue.

·         The panel queried the reference in the report that the role of corporate parenting was not focused on forming personal relationships with individual children. Corporate Parenting Officer commented that Councillors to think about the needs of young people and the opportunities to influence and support children in care. Corporate Parenting Officer commented on building resilience. Independent Reviewing Officer role is to evaluate the thoughts and wishes of young people. Corporate Parenting Officer outlined the other work done to support children in care and the important role, where possible, for the young person to still have contact with siblings and parents. Service Director Children and Young People commented that a key part of the work of the service in stabilising the workforce. Service Director Children and Young People commented on the planned recruitment campaign as an important part of achieving this.

·         Panel queried if young people felt comfortable enough to talk about of issues of concern when meeting in the Council chamber for meetings of the Children in Care Council. Corporate Parenting Officer commented that young people very comfortable when meeting professionals and raising issues of concern. Members of the group also meet at other venues such as Red Lion Street and the Beldray Building.

·         Emerson, Youth Council, commented on the good relations between with members of the Children in Care Council.

Resolved:

·         Representatives of the panel invited to attend a future meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board.

·         An open invitation to panel members to attend Total Respect training