Further to the meeting held on 27 July, to review the revised Corporate Parenting Strategy and provide feedback to the Cabinet at their meeting on 24 August 2021.

Further to the meeting of the Board held on 27 July 2021 (Minute 10/7/21 refers), Members considered the final draft Corporate Parenting Strategy due to be presented to the Cabinet on 24 August 2021.  The Strategy had been updated in light of consultation responses received from the Corporate Parenting Board and Foster Carer Forum.  Members noted the main changes to the document since their original consideration and fully supported the proposed tone and content of the Strategy with a partnership approach to achieve the best for our cared for and care experienced young people.

The Director of Children’s Services, Nancy Meehan, and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Steve Darling, also provided an update on the work of the Strategic Partnership Child Friendly Sub-Group and the four sub-groups which would be looking at actions to help the Council, local businesses, community, voluntary and statutory agencies work together to make Torbay a Child Friendly place to live, work and play.

Resolved (unanimously):

That the Cabinet be recommended:

1.         to approve the Corporate Parenting Strategy;

2.         to recommend to Full Council that the Corporate Parenting Strategy become a Policy Framework document; and

3.         that following engagement with children and young people a further updated Corporate Parenting Strategy be prepared for consideration by Council.

To review the Corporate Parenting Strategy and provide feedback to the Cabinet at their meeting on 24 August 2021.

The Board considered the refreshed interim Corporate Parenting Strategy which had an overall objective to ensure that all children, young people and care experienced young people and adults are safe, happy and healthy in order that they can fulfil their full potential.  The Strategy also provided improved governance to recognise the role of corporate parents across the whole of the Council and working with our partners.  It was also proposed to acknowledge the key importance of the Strategy by recommending to Council it was included as one of the Policy Framework documents, therefore requiring it to be signed off by all Councillors at a full Council meeting, rather than being approved by the Cabinet.

The Chief Executive, Anne-Marie Bond, explained the rationale for the interim Strategy and the consultation it was going through and highlighted some of the feedback already received from the Corporate Parenting Board and Foster Carer Forum, which would result in further changes being made to the document prior to its submission to Cabinet in August.

The Board thanked Anne-Marie Bond for her leadership and work with colleagues and partners in Children’s Services and for bringing forward a more child and family focussed Corporate Parenting Strategy.

Resolved:

1.         that the Board supports and welcomes the revised Corporate Parenting Strategy and requests an additional meeting to be arranged, prior to the document being submitted to the Cabinet, to enable it to fully consider the changes made in response to the comments received to date; and

2.         that the Cabinet be recommended that the Council be recommended to add the Corporate Parenting Strategy to the list of key Policy Framework documents (unanimous).