To receive a paper on the role of the Corporate Parenting Group from the Chair and Head of Service (Looked After Children).

The Head of Service (Looked After Children) gave an update on the role of the Corporate Parenting Group.

It was reported that –

(i)                 the Corporate Parenting Group has a leadership role to champion the needs of looked after children with council services and partner agencies;

(ii)               the Corporate Parenting Panel scrutinises and monitors outcomes for children and young people in care, adopted children and young people leaving care;

(iii)             the Plymouth Pledge has been developed which outlines Plymouth’s commitment to all children and young people in care;

(iv)              a Virtual School Headteacher has been appointed to provide a support and challenge role in relation to educational attainment for children and young people in care.

Resolved that –

            (1)       Cabinet receive an annual report of the work of the Corporate Parenting Group;

            (2)       the children’s overview and scrutiny committee regularly review the work of the Corporate Parenting Group and identify issues that require further work and arrange for Corporate Parenting to become incorporated into the work programme on an annual basis;

            (3)       Cabinet consider the commitments outlined in the Pledge for children and young people in care and that Corporate Parenting and the involvement of children and young people in care is incorporated into the committee’s work programme on an annual basis;

            (4)       the Corporate Management Team (CMT) identify departmental ‘champions’ in each council area so that the needs of children and young people in care can be incorporated into strategy and policy formation with accountability to the Corporate Parenting Group;

            (5)       all appraisals and staff supervision to specifically address progress against the Pledge;

            (6)       all Elected Members attend induction training on Corporate Parenting;

            (7)       all departments consider providing work placements for young people in care.