Issue - meetings

Council is asked to note the Annual Corporate Parenting Board Report for 2021-22.

Councillor Abdul Abdullahi moved, and Councillor Chris James seconded, the report.

Councillor Abdul Abdullahi introduced the report and thanked social workers and all those who work so hard for those children in care, along with colleagues on Corporate Parenting board and our foster carers.

The report highlighted the importance of the Council’s Corporate Parenting role and the ways in which the Council had supported the children in our care and care leavers to achieve their potential.

There have been many achievements over 2021-22 which are mentioned in the report and service delivery remained of the highest standard despite the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic. For instance, 74% of young people are in education, employment, or training in comparison to the national average of 70%. The Council is proud that 96% of the Council’s looked after children have a completed personal education plan and there has not been any permanent exclusions over the last 5 years. Enfield is one of the few boroughs that have an 18+ psychologist who offers emotional and mental wellbeing support to its care leavers and that 60% of children and young people are placed with in-house carers which is better than our statistical neighbourhoods.

The Opposition welcomed the report and highlighted the importance of the role of Corporate Parenting and thanked foster carers for all their hard work. Enfield has above the national average of looked-after children and care leavers in education, employment or training which is important if they are to go on to lead independent adult lives, reaching their full potential and playing a constructive role in society.

Members acknowledged that the Corporate Parent role is a collective responsibility of the Council and councillors for those in care and care leavers. The report provides the key priorities that were set in 2021 and the actions that have been taken which demonstrate the ambition that the Council has for looked after children and care leavers. A key priority was to ensure that all looked after children and care leavers were supported during the pandemic. Enfield had the 13^th best school attendance in England and the highest across all other London boroughs during lockdown.

Following the debate, the recommendations in the report were NOTED.

A report from the Executive Director of People is attached.  (Non Key)

Councillor Abdul Abdullahi (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services) introduced the report of the Executive Director People presenting the Corporate Parenting Board governance arrangements and activities in 2021-22, overview of the Board’s responsibilities, and updates on key priorities and the positive action taken.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

1.  Note the importance of the corporate parenting role, and everyone’s responsibilities as corporate parents to looked after children and care leavers.

2.  Note the successes and challenges that had arisen from corporate parenting activities in the period 2021-22.

3.  Commend the Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report 2021-22 to Council.

(Non Key)