Issue - meetings

To consider the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2018-20.

The Committee considered the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2018-20.

It was intended that the implementation of the Corporate Parenting Strategy would improve the experiences and outcomes for all Cheshire East cared for children and care leavers.  The strategy set out the following pledges:

1.    We will be a good corporate parent

2.    We will improve education, employment and training outcomes

3.    We will work to achieve permanence and keep children safe

4.    We will improve health and wellbeing outcomes

5.    We will prepare young people for adulthood

The Corporate Parenting Committee ensured that the Council effectively discharged its role as Corporate Parent for all children and young people in care and care leavers from 0 - 25 years of age, in addition to holding partners to account for the discharge of their responsibilities.  The Committee scrutinised performance reporting and impact, along with issues and risks, and prepared an Annual Report for consideration by Cabinet and the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Five Workstream Groups, aligned to the five pledge areas, ensured that the strategy was delivered effectively.  The Chairman of each Workstream Group attended the Corporate Parenting Strategy Group, which had an overview across the workstreams to ensure any risks and issues were identified and that overall progress was being made in achieving the strategy outcomes.

An action plan had been drawn up, setting out the key actions for the achievement of the outcomes and pledges within the strategy.

Various sources would be used to ascertain what was working well and where action was need to achieve change, including talking to cared for children and care leavers, a corporate parenting scorecard, and feedback from children, young people, parents and carers, families and practitioners.

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2018-20 be noted.