Agenda item

This verbal briefing will provide the Corporate Parenting Board with an overview of the functions of the Children and Care Council and Care Leavers Forum and some of the group’s priorities going forward. Representatives will share with elected Members some of the work they have carried out in helping to create the new Guarantee (York’s Pledge for Children and Young People in Care).

Members received an overview of the functions of the Children and Care Council (Show Me That I Matter) and Care Leavers Forum (I Still Matter) from the Corporate Director of Children, Education & Communities and they noted that:

·        Show Me That I Matter (SMTIM) held a monthly forum for young people in care (aged 14 – 19) to discuss important issues, sometimes with elected Members or senior managers from the council, with the aim of helping to shape and improve services.

·        I Still Matter held monthly meetings for care experienced young people (aged 17 – 25) to discuss and improve the services care leavers received from City of York Council, and to help make the difficult transition from care to independence a better experience for all young people.

·        Speak Up Youth had a less formal approach and was open to children in care aged 10-16 (and above for those with additional needs). 

The Children’s Rights Manager, the Advocacy and Participation Worker and two representatives from Show Me That I Matter were in attendance to inform Members of the work they had carried out to create the new Guarantee (York’s Pledge for Children and Young People in Care).

Officers confirmed that in consultation with SMTIM and I Still Matter the experience of looked after children and young people in York had been reviewed and a new Guarantee had been produced. Members received a copy of the draft document and noted that the Guarantee represented the two group’s views, design and wording and that an alternative version of the Guarantee would be produced for younger children, following further consultation with Speak Up Youth. 

In answer to Members questions it was confirmed that:

·        The Guarantee would become an agreement between York’s Children in Care and their social worker and would include a section on the reverse for them to sign.

·        A glossary of regularly used acronyms and a copy of the Local Government Guide on Corporate Parenting could be issued to all Board Members.

·        A variety of professionals would be made aware of the new Guarantee including, Independent Reviewing Officers and Designated Teachers.

Following discussions around fostering and the training sessions members of SMTIM and Speak Up had delivered to Foster Carers, the Board were very impressed with the new Guarantee and congratulated all involved for producing an exceptional document. They agreed that the document needed to be well publicised and they welcomed an update at a future meeting to measure the impact of the new Guarantee.

Resolved: 

(i)           That the functions of the Children in Care Council and Care Leavers Forum be noted.

(ii)          That a glossary of regularly used acronyms and a copy of the Local Government guide on corporate parenting be issued to all Board Members.

(iii)        That Show Me That I Matter and I Still Matter consider how they would like the Guarantee to be signed off and how it should be promoted.

(iv)        That an update be provided at a future Corporate Parenting Board.

Reason: To keep the Corporate Parenting Board updated.