At the council, every elected member (local councillor) and member of staff is called a ‘Corporate Parent’. We all have a responsibility to improve the life chances of children and young people in care. Our Corporate Parenting Board is chaired by the Lead Member for Children and Young people, Co-chaired by a member of the Children in Care Council and Care Experienced Forum.
The areas of Focus are:
- Promoting Independence, ensuring that our young people have access to suitable accommodation.
- Aspirational promotion of education, employment and training.
- Promoting physical health, emotional wellbeing and mental health of our children and young people.
- Promoting and achieving early permanence.
- Supporting our carers to provide suitable stable homes for children and young people Ensuring that our resources enable our children and young people to thrive in a Child Friendly Dudley.
- Leisure activities.
- Participation and Co-production.
To achieve our vision to be good corporate parents we have coproduced the following 6 priorities with children, young people, and the trusted adults in their lives.
1. Your Health and Emotional Wellbeing:
We promise to Improve health and well-being by ensuring high quality health services and information are provided to children, young people, and to enable carers, feel valued, and supported.
2. Your Home & where you live:
We promise that children and young people will live somewhere where they feel a sense of safety and belonging and are loved.
3. Your Education, Training and Employment:
We Promise to Hold high aspirations and continue close the attainment gap for care experienced children and young people. Increase the proportion of care experienced young people in education, training, and employment.
4. Your Support:
We promise that being in care is an enriching experience that equips children for a successful life.
5. Your Identity:
We promise that you will have up to date information about your family, friends, and carers whenever possible.
6. Your Say Co-production:
We promise that children and young people are at the heart of service design, delivery, and evaluation.