Agenda item

(a)       That the proposed actions to publish a new Corporate Parenting Strategy, taking into account the proposed amendments suggested by Members, be endorsed;

(b)       That the proposed action for all Flintshire County Council staff to be responsible for delivering the Strategy be endorse;

(c)        That the proposed action to develop and implement a cross-portfolio action plan to deliver on the statements outline in the Strategy, be endorsed; and

(d)       That Corporate Parenting be raised at a future County Council meeting and Chief Officer Team, with the involvement of young people.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced a report to endorse a refreshed Corporate Parenting Strategy for Flintshire.  He advised that the report outlined the ongoing work being undertaken to form a new Corporate Parenting Strategy within the context of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and national developments relating to Corporate Parenting. 

The Planning and Development Officer provided background information and reported on the main considerations, as detailed in the report, concerning progress in developing Flintshire’s Corporate Parenting Strategy.  He explained that the Strategy would be in place for at least 5 years to ensure consistency and make a positive difference for looked after children and care leavers.  He referred to the draft Corporate Parenting Strategy 2018-2023 which had been provided to the Committee for endorsement.

Councillor Hilary McGuill asked if the text in the Strategy could be amended to read as if it were addressing a child.  The Planning and Development Officer agreed to amend the text accordingly.

Councillor Kevin Hughes asked if the Strategy could be amended to reflect, where a looked after child was placed in foster care, consideration would be given to placing them with foster parents who had the same religious beliefs or ethnicity.  The Senior Manager Children and Workforce explained that this was already taken into consideration and agreed to include it within the Strategy.

Following a suggestion by Councillor Carol Ellis, the Committee recommended that a short presentation on Corporate Parenting be given at a future meeting of the County Council and also to the Chief Officer Team.  The Senior Manager Children and Workforce suggested that young people be invited to shape the presentation to provide Members with real life examples.

Mrs. Rebecca Stark suggested that personal examples from young people showing how the Strategy had worked for them be added to the final Strategy.

Councillor Janet Axworthy suggested that the title of the Strategy be changed to ‘Looking After You:  Corporate Parenting Strategy’.

In response to a suggestion from Councillor Cindy Hinds and the further comments made by the Committee around the Pride of Flintshire event, the Senior Manager Children and Workforce suggested that he e-mail all Members with a brief overview of the Pride of Flintshire event and also to invite contributions from Members.

Mr. David Hytch asked if co-opted Members of the Education & Youth Overview & Scrutiny Committee could be included in the e-mail and also be invited to attend the Pride of Flintshire event in September. 

RESOLVED:

 (a)      That the proposed actions to publish a new Corporate Parenting Strategy, taking into account the proposed amendments suggested by Members, be endorsed;

(b)       That the proposed action for all Flintshire County Council staff to be responsible for delivering the Strategy be endorse;

(c)        That the proposed action to develop and implement a cross-portfolio action plan to deliver on the statements outline in the Strategy, be endorsed; and

(d)       That Corporate Parenting be raised at a future County Council meeting and Chief Officer Team, with the involvement of young people.