The Chair opened the meeting and reminded everyone that the meeting was

being webcast and a copy was retained on the Council’s website.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Cherry Povall.

Members are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Members were asked to consider whether they had any disclosable pecuniary interests in connection with any item(s) on the agenda and, if so, declare and state what they were.

·  Councillor Sue Powell-Wilde declared a personal interest by virtue of being a foster carer.

·  Councillor Paula Basnett declared a personal interest by virtue of being a foster carer.

There were no questions, petitions or statements received for this meeting.

The Head of Service for Permanence and Fostering presented a report of the Director of Children, Families and Education which provided an annual corporate parenting report for 2022-23. Members were informed of the work undertaken by the Local Authority and partners in fulfilling its corporate parenting responsibilities in the previous year. The report updated Members of progress made within the four key areas of the Children in Care and Care Leavers Strategy:

·  Emotional and Physical Wellbeing

·  Independence and Transition to adulthood

·  Personal Lived Experiences

·  Education and Employment

Members discussed opportunities relating to further education for Children Looked After in the Local Area. In addition, the importance of encouraging local businesses to consider Care Leavers and in apprenticeship opportunities was highlighted. The role of the Wirral Virtual School in supporting Children Looked After was also explored. 

Resolved – That the annual report and the work undertaken to ensure that the local authority and partners are effective corporate parents be endorsed.

The Leaving Care Manager presented a report of the Director for Children, Families and Education which provided Members with an update Care Leaver’s Local Offer, found in appendix 1 of the report. It was noted that a revised and up to date offer was required in order to meet statutory requirements. The Local Offer had been last updated in 2019 and had been redesigned in consultation with young people from the Care Leaver’s Council to better reflect reflects the support and opportunities available from the Council and wider support agencies.

Resolved – That the updated Care Leavers Local Offer and the work undertaken to ensure that the local authority and partners are effective corporate parents be endorsed.

The Assistant Director for Children and Young People presented a report of The Director of Children, Families and Education which provided Members with the proposed Corporate Parenting Work Programme for 2023-24. The work programme was aligned to the priorities of Children Looked After and Care Leavers Strategy and the work was proposed to be delivered by the Corporate Parenting Board. Alongside reports on progress and work undertaken to promote and support improvements in the priority areas to the Corporate Parenting Board, it was noted that the work programme also included consideration of performance data, feedback, and consultations from children looked after and care leavers and an annual report of the Head of the Virtual School.

Members discussed the importance of breaking down the priorities with a focus on young people’s experiences. Members also requested that an update on Wirral Virtual School performance be brought quarterly rather than annually.

Resolved – That

1.  The work programme for 2023-20243 be endorsed; and

2.  The delivery of the work programme be undertaken by the Corporate Parenting Board which will meet four times between September 2023 and March 2024.