Agenda item

That the proposed actions to develop a new Corporate Parenting Strategy be endorsed.

The Senior Manager (Children & Workforce) presented the report on the development of a new Corporate Parenting Strategy within the context of the Social Services & Wellbeing Act and national developments on corporate parenting.

He highlighted a Member workshop on safeguarding and corporate parenting to be held the following month and advised that there were currently 220 looked after children in Flintshire.  Information generated from regional and national corporate parenting activities had been collated with feedback by looked after children and care leavers to identify six themes with underlying commitments supported by an action plan.  The development of the Corporate Parenting Strategy was linked to a review of existing participation forums and the appointment of a new Participation Officer to ensure that the voices of the county’s looked after children were heard.

Councillor Dave Mackie commented that the Children’s Services Forum had become more child-friendly over time but felt that more engagement was needed between looked after children and elected Members.  The Senior Manager explained that the review would identify the best opportunities to engage with young people and that the Council had responsibility for care leavers up to age 25.  On the assessment process for kinship carers, it was noted that challenging timescales were set by the court but that one individual from each side of the child’s family was considered to determine who was the most suitable in those cases.  The launch of the Family Friendly Employer initiative for Flintshire County Council employees had helped to generate interest from prospective foster carers.

Following remarks by Councillor Hilary McGuill, it was explained that fostering allowances were available to meet the needs of foster children and that feedback from reviews indicated that foster carers were fulfilling their duty of care by helping with lifts to social/sporting events etc.

As a former foster carer, Councillor Kevin Hughes felt that there had not been enough support available to him at that time.  The Senior Manager said that the importance of support for young people and their carers was recognised and that the Repatriation and Prevention Service (RAP) had been developed to strengthen arrangements.

Councillor Mike Allport queried the average length of time in care and was told that this was variable, depending on a number of factors.  There were many routes from care and the ‘When I Am Ready’ initiative gave the opportunity to remain in care after 18 years of age.

Councillor Dave Wisinger asked about actions to attend to the social and economic wellbeing of looked after children.  It was explained that pathway plans incorporated a range of support to help prepare the young person for the transition to adulthood, for example guidance on financial matters and allocated personal advisors.

In response to comments from the Chair, assurance was given that accommodation for care leavers was amongst the priorities however if the individual chose to leave Flintshire, they would lose that priority status.

Officers responded to a question from Councillor Mike Lowe on provisions for disabled children in care such as property adaptations and respite support at Arosfa.

When asked by Councillor Rita Johnson about criteria for selecting adopters, it was explained that many factors were considered to identify the right match.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed actions to develop a new Corporate Parenting Strategy be endorsed.