Corporate Parenting Committee July 2012 An overview of the Council’s commitment and responsibility to children and young people in the Borough Linda Clegg, Director of Children’s Safeguarding Janie Berry, Head of Legal Services (Court Services)

Content overview Legislative background Parental responsibility Accommodated children Thresholds Statutory intervention and the role of the Court

Common words and phrases LAC Regulation 33 visits CAFCASS IRO ICO Child Protection Ofsted Agency Placement Children’s Guardian Continuum of Need and Response Family Justice Review

What is a Corporate Parent? BWDBC looks after a number of children who are unable to remain in the care of their parents and families. When a child comes into the care of the Local Authority, the parental responsibility falls onto all elected members and officers of this Council. This is known as acting as a Corporate Parent. A Corporate Parent has the same role as any other parent in that there is a responsibility to ensure that a looked after child is supported and encouraged to achieve their potential and have a healthy, balanced, full and active life.

Parental Responsibility “all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property” PR can be acquired and utilised in a number of ways so as to promote and benefit the child’s welfare

Accommodated Children Two types:  Voluntary accommodation by the LA  Accommodation provided independently of the LA Role of the LA for an accommodated child – promote the child’s welfare

Thresholds for intervention Continuum of need and response Assessments of Need for Children and their Families Statutory thresholds – Children Act 1989 Welfare checklist for the child

Statutory intervention and the role of the Court Family Justice Review Children Act 1989 Care plans for children Impact of Judicial decisions on the LA Independent Scrutiny of evidence