Terms of Reference:
The Corporate Parenting Board (the Board) will assist Dorset
County 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. This will continue as a key
responsibility of Dorset Council from 1st April 2019.
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 the voice of children and young people
influence decision making and service development and delivery.
Board Management
The Corporate Parenting Board will meet a minimum of seven
times a year. Corporate Parenting Board
meetings will be attended by members of the Children in Care Council and their
representatives, with support from the Children’s Participation Service.
The Board will have regular membership from:
(i)
Seven elected members of the Council on a politically
proportionate basis.
(ii)
Children in Care Council (CiCC)
representatives.
(iii)
Although not a full member of the board. The Lead Member for
Children’s services (s) is invited to attend all meetings.
The Board will have regular representation from the
Children’s Services Directorate in the form of:
(i)
The Executive Director, People (children’s) (or the officer for
the time-being with such responsibilities)
(ii)
The Head of Care and Protection (or the officer for the time-being
with such responsibilities)
(iii)
The Lead Officer for Looked After Children
(iv) The Corporate Parenting
Officer
The Board will request regular representation from:
(i)
Relevant Partners
(ii)
The Virtual School Head
(iii)
Children’s Rights, Advocacy and Participation Services
(iv)
Children’s Health and Mental Health Service
(v)
The Police and Youth Offending Service
(vi)
Foster Carers representative (or other
parent forum)
Also in non-regular attendance – sufficiently senior representatives
from Children’s Services Directorate and other directorates and agencies to
attend for specific issues in order to offer advice and assistance as requested
by the Board.