Corporate parenting board
When children and young people are brought into the care of the local authority, Luton Council becomes their 'corporate parent'.
To ensure that we and our partners effectively discharge our role as corporate parent for all their children in c,are key officers from the council and partner agencies are bought together in the corporate parenting board.
The board holds four confidential meetings a year which are reported to Full Council and the Executive. The group is chaired by the councillor with responsibility for Children’s Services, and decisions are made by consensus.
The views and concerns of young people with experience of the care system are also fed directly to the board via representatives from the Young People's Panel (Children in Care Council).
Some of the key responsibilities are:
- to examine ways in which the o examine ways in which the council and partner agencies can improve the life chances of all children in care and care leavers
- to ensure there are good joint working arrangements between council departments and partner agencies
- to maintain an overview of these services and holding operational services to account
- to advise the council’s Executive Committee of any actions that need to be taken
- to ensure that children in care have access to appropriate adult support/guidance through existing advocacy and consultation services
- to agree an annual work programme setting out its key priorities and areas for action - this will be included in the annual report which will be submitted to council
- to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of children and young people in care in areas of education, drama, sport and employment, and participate in annual celebration events o acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of children and young people in care in areas of education, drama, sport and employment, and participate in annual celebration events
- to take account of direct experiences of parents of children in care and to ensure they influence the improvement of services and policy development
Make up of the group:
The director and heads of service from Children and Learning, professional staff from social care, schools, the police, youth offending service, housing and health providers.