Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chair and Vice Chair, the committee appointed Cllr Carol Bulman to chair the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bailey, Councillor Butterill, Councillor Flavell, Councillor Marren and Councillor Saunders.

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 27 January 2022.

The Director of Children’s Social Care advised the committee that there may have been an inaccuracy with the number of care leavers at university stated in the officer’s verbal presentation of the Corporate Parenting Progress Report which was received at the previous meeting and referenced in the minutes. It was agreed that this would be checked and, following the meeting, it was confirmed that the figure of 18 was correct for the age group of 18 – 24 year olds. 

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as a correct record.

To receive a verbal update on the Corporate Parenting Shadow Committee.

The committee received a verbal updated on the work of the Shadow Committee.

The committee noted the success of a recent art exhibition event where a group of care experienced young people were able to present their work.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

To consider the Corporate Parenting scorecard for quarter 3.

The committee received the report which set out the performance for Corporate Parenting for quarter 3 of 2021-22 (1 October – 31 December 2021).

A query was raised regarding the percentage of completed health assessments which was reported as 76% in the report. The committee were advised that more health assessments had been completed but were awaiting quality assurance and were therefore not included in the data presented. It was expected that the figure would be higher in the next report.

A further query was raised regarding the scorecard measuring the experience of cared for children and care leavers. The committee were advised that this is measured through a number of mechanisms including participation in reviews, annual surveys and the shadow committee. The service area were actively looking to strengthen how this feedback could be evidenced further and would review the scorecard indicators as part of this.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To consider a report on mainstream fostering recruitment and Foster Care Fortnight.

The committee received the report which provided an update to committee on recruitment activity undertaken by the mainstream fostering service and plans to support Foster Care Fortnight in May 2022.

A suggestion was made for the Fostering Team to contact schools for support with sharing and promoting the communications around fostering and it was agreed that this would be looked into.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted

To approve the proposed forward plan of reports for the Corporate Parenting Committee for 2022-23.

The committee received the report which presented a proposed forward plan of reports for the Corporate Parenting Committee for 2022-23 to support the committee in fulfilling its role as given in its terms of reference.

RESOLVED:

That the committee approve the forward plan of reports for the Corporate Parenting Committee for 2022-23.