Agenda and minutes

The Chair of the Committee to open the meeting and welcome those present.

The chair welcomed all in attendance with a special mention for the new committee members and thanked the outgoing members for their input over the last year

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 April 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 April 2025 were confirmed and signed as a correct record of the meeting.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their decision councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

There were declarations of interest.

Representatives of town or parish councils and members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area are welcome to submit up to two questions or two statements for each meeting. Alternatively, you could submit one question and one statement for each meeting.  

All submissions must be emailed in full to [email protected] by 8.30am on 23 May 2025    

When submitting your question(s) and/or statement(s) please note that: 

·       no more than three minutes will be allowed for any one question or statement to be asked/read  

·       a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context, and this will be included within the three-minute period 

·       please note that sub divided questions count towards your total of two 

·       when submitting a question please indicate who the question is for (e.g. the name of the committee or Portfolio Holder) 

·       Include your name, address and contact details.  Only your name will be published but we may need your other details to contact you about your question or statement in advance of the meeting. 

·       questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda 

·       all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.   

There was no public participation.

The Executive Director for Children to share the latest OFSTED results with the committee.

The Executive Director for Childrens service, described the outcome of the most recent Ofsted report and a specific mention of the role of corporate parenting board in the report.

There was a discussion about the scope for improvement and the need for continued development of areas where needed.

To receive a report from the Head of Service Children in Care.

The Corporate Director - Care & Protection described the corporate parenting dataset and the following areas were discussed;

·       The completion of Personal education plans and the barriers to their completion

·       The educational attendance of Children in care

·       The repetition of CIC and repeatedly entering care

·       Distance from home as an area of concern and the reasons for children being placed such a distances from their parental home.

·       Age tracking on the adoption statistics and sibling groups

To receive the report from Head of Service Children in Care

The Corporate Director - Care & Protection described the Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report

The board discussed;

·       the education and work aspirations of care leavers.

·       the barriers and reasons for care leavers not engaging in employment or education.

·       the addition of unaccompanied asylum seekers and the impact on work loads.

To receive the report from the Youth Voice Manager

The Youth Voice Team Manager introduced the strategy and the Board shared recognition of the “We all bloom differently” work and the potential of repeating it as part of national care leavers month in November. There was also a discussion on language and stigmatisation and what actions were needed manage and improve this issue.

To receive the report from the Head of Service - Care Leavers & UASC

The Head of Service - Care Leavers & UASC introduced the item and the areas that are being developed. The was a discussion on the ongoing engagement of formerly cared for children from 21, 25 and beyond.

The value of Childrens life stories in shaping services and policy was also recognised.

To receive the report from Service Manager, Aspire Adoption Services

The Head of Service - Care Leavers & UASC set out the report on behalf of Aspire and the key ambitions of Aspire over the coming year.

The board discussed the age and gender of those adopted and the reasons behind the changing demographics. The importance of support for adoptive families and the reduction of funding from central government was also raised.

To receive the report from the Service Manager - Fostering

The Service Manager – Fostering introduced the report sharing the key points and commitments from the report.

The Board discussed the following areas;

·       Allegations and the importance of DBS checks and full vetting of fostering applications.

·       Kinship and deregistration’s and the mocking bird model in practice.

·       Unsuccessful applicants and their next steps if they still wish to be involved in fostering.

To receive the report from the Fostering Panel Independent Chair

The Board noted the contents of the report.

To confirm details and deadlines for papers for the next meeting of the

(formal) Corporate Parenting Board which will be held on 27 November 2025. The next informal meeting will be held on 31 July 2025.

The next meeting of the Formal Corporate Parenting Board was held on 27 November 2025. The next informal meeting was held on 31 July 2025.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior

notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b)

of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall

be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.  

There are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.  

There was no exempt business.