Susannah Beasley-Murray, Director of Supporting Families, and Sheleena Powtoo, Improvement Delivery Lead, gave an overview of the key priorities for the  five year Corporate Parenting Strategy, to be submitted to Cabinet on 26 July. Details on the Peer Review on Leaving Care with Government Advisor Mark Riddell, and the proposal for Care Experience to be adopted as a protected characteristic were also outlined.

Ms Beasley-Murray informed the sub-committee of the pledge corporate parents and partners have signed and how children in care will be protected, whilst keeping children’s key messages at the forefront. The strategy will be launched in October and will set out how a community of carers will be established.

The five main priorities, developed in conjunction with children, stakeholders and foster carers were outlined as:

·       A safe and stable home

·       Trusted and strong relationships

·       Education and aspirations

·       Health and emotional Wellbeing

·       Co-production

Details on adopting the Care Experience as a protected characteristic show that care leavers are at a disadvantage, with higher outcomes for homelessness, criminality and premature death. This has been introduced at a local level and the recommendation will ensure the care experience characteristic will be included in all equality impact assessments for future policies and services.

Ms Beasley-Murray updated the sub-committee on the Peer Review recommendations from Mark Riddell, National Implementation Advisor for Care Leavers (DfE), which took place in May. The presentation will be circulated to sub-committee members outside of the meeting.

Further to  questions from the sub-committee, Susannah Beasley-Murray;

·       Explained that co-production involved a range of holistic activities for children living in care, social workers, parents and personal advisors to design the strategy to capture their views. A parents reference group has also been established.

·       Clarified that engagement with ex-carers were included in discussions focusing on money management, housing, education and other support needs.

·       Noted that the ‘Kit Kat Terrace’ care leavers site has some open space and its use is encouraged. Collaboration with the sports, leisure and Parks teams are ongoing to ensure summer activities are available.

·       Explained that all departments are committed to provide apprenticeships and there are ongoing discussions with the Department of Work and Pensions to assist care leavers within  Kit Kat Terrace. The team of education employment advisors has been expanded to offer support those seeking full time employment.  

·       Clarified that housing needs for care leavers is a priority and a joint working protocol has been established. Care leaver allowances have been increased in an effort to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and guidance is available on the best ways to budget finances.

·       Noted that families are supported by social workers to ensure the family structure is kept intact. The project ‘Lifelong Links’ aims to support  children in care, care leavers and members of the family in the UK and abroad. The Supporting Families Conference will be held on 12 July to empower families and improve services for children in care.

·       Added that family group conferences are held to allow extended family members to voice concerns and help shape the decision-making process of children in care. Dedicated advocates for children and families are also made available to speak on their behalf.

·       Clarified that research data on care leavers will be made available to sub-committee members outside of the meeting.

[Clerk's Note - The Rees Centre research data is available here:

 Over 7,500 children and young people in care share their views and experiences on contact arrangements with their families — (ox.ac.uk)]

·       Clarified that young residents and care leavers will be invited to the sub-committee to discuss their experiences.

·       Explained that many of the foster carers, are trauma informed and the ‘Mocking Bird Hub’ exists to ensure carers are clustered in one area with a main therapeutic support link at the centre. All needs of the child are matched to ensure they are protected. There are issues with housing and some foster carers live in neighbouring boroughs. There are ongoing discussions to rectify this.

RESOLVED that

1.    That the presentation be noted.

2.    To Submit research data on care leavers for sub-committee members outside of the meeting.

3.    Young residents and care leavers to be invited to the sub-committee to discuss their experiences.