Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Buckley, Handley, Holland and Saunders. Cllr Councillors Benson and Edgar attended as substitutes.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2022.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2022 be agreed as a correct record.

A verbal update was given on the recent A-Level and GCSE exam results for cared for children and young people. It was noted that the data was still being validated nationally and regionally so there was the potential for the figures to change. The Virtual School Headteacher’s annual report would be received at the November Corporate Parenting Committee and this would contain more data and analysis. The committee wanted to congratulate these young people on their achievements and it was suggested that this could be done at a celebration event which was being planned in November by the Shadow Corporate Parenting Committee.

To receive the Corporate Parenting Committee annual report for 2021-22.

The committee received the report which detailed the progress and achievements over 2021-22 against the pledges the Council made to cared for children and care leavers in the Corporate Parenting Strategy.

A query was raised regarding work that had been undertaken to improve dental care for cared for children and what impact this has had. The committee were advised that there had been an improvement but that it was not yet where the team wanted it to be. Data would be shared following the meeting to provide further detail.  

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Committee endorse the Corporate Parenting Committee Annual Report 2021-22 as set out at Appendix 1.

To receive the annual report of the Care Leavers Service.  

The committee received the Care Leavers Service Annual Report. A number of achievements were highlighted including the number of cared for young people in apprenticeships increasing and an increase in Staying Put arrangements.

Members raised queries in relation to the cost of living crisis and assurances were given that measures were in place to support care leavers financially and practically. This was in addition to the community resources available for the care leavers to connect with if they choose to.

The committee thanked the team for the positive report.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.