The Corporate Parenting and Participation Officer presented an update report, to inform the Cabinet Committee of progress in relation to the corporate parenting activity. He stated that particular points to note, were that the Corporate Parenting Strategy had been launched and a professionals’ engagement event had also taken place to undertake action planning for future work.

By way of some background, he informed Members that since he had been in post updates to the Committee had provided at meetings on the following key areas:-

•           Establishing a shared vision for Corporate Parenting Responsibilities.

•           Establishing a governance structure that supports the strategic and  operational approach to Corporate Parenting.

•           Establishing a Corporate Parenting Performance Framework.

•           Establishing care experienced forums to provide our children and young people with a collective voice 

The Corporate Parenting and Participation Officer then gave a resume of the work undertaken in respect of these areas as referenced in the report.

The Chairperson confirmed that the work the Corporate Parenting and Participation Officer had been carrying out since he had been in post, had been recognised as good practise within Welsh Government and that he would be developing guidance that would sit alongside our Corporate Parenting Strategy that would be used by other local authorities in Wales.

The Leader added that he hoped that as the above had been recognised by Welsh Government, then the work developed as part of this guidance would be financially supported by them. He also sought assurance that children and young people within the County Borough had ‘a voice’ when BCBC and its partners were considering policy changes. He was sure this was the case, as that had come through loud and clear at a recent Launch he had attended.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing assured Members this was the case as was evidenced at the Bridgend Youth Voice Forum.

She added that in the summer period, the Corporate Parenting and Participation Officer would be ensuring that there would be meaningful engagement undertaken with Children and young people, on the draft Sustainability Plan for Children and Families in Bridgend, something that had been raised previously through the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny process.

RESOLVED:                            The Cabinet Committee – Corporate Parenting noted the progress made identified within the report and agreed to invest in the future development of Corporate Parenting activity to establish better outcomes for its children and young people.