The Corporate Parenting Board (the Board) will assist Dorset
Council and its partners to understand and fully comply with legal duties and responsibilities
across all services, as they discharge those duties to looked after children
and care leavers.
The Corporate Parenting Board will promote member and
workforce engagement, commitment and understanding of the Corporate Parenting
principles introduced by the Children and Social Work Act 2017. Ensuring the
local authority is ‘an active, strong and committed corporate parent – in line
with the corporate parenting principles’.
The Corporate Parenting Board will hold to account the
council and its partners for their role in the delivery of services and
statutory responsibilities to looked after children and care leavers as
recommended in statutory Corporate Parenting guidance.
The Board will have access to good qualitative and
quantitative management information from the council and its partners, in order
to monitor performance effectively against outcomes and track delivery of
promises and commitments as stated to the Children in Care Council.
The Board will ensure young people know how their voice,
insights and lived experiences have impacted decision making and service
development and delivery.
The Corporate Parenting Board will meet a minimum of seven
times a year including informal meetings.
Portfolio Holder attendance at Corporate Parenting Board
Although not a full
member of the board the
Cabinet Member responsible for Children’s services(s) is invited to attend
all meetings. This portfolio holder is
Dorset Council’s designated Lead Councillor for Children’s Services as required
by the Children Act 2004.
