The People Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee were scheduled to discuss a new corporate parenting strategy, review foster carer allowances, consider a vulnerable person policy for council tenants, and discuss an employment charter for autistic people and people with learning disabilities.

Havering Employment Charter for Autistic People and People with Learning Disabilities

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss the Havering Employment Charter for Autistic People and People with Learning Disabilities. The charter aims to increase the number of autistic people and people with a learning disability employed directly by Havering Council. It aligns with the council's wider aims under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme¹ and is intended as the initial step of a multi-staged approach aimed at reducing employment inequalities for people with learning disabilities and autistic people within the borough. The charter is underpinned by several key principles:

• Nurturing a disability confident and inclusive culture within Havering Council
• Empowering employing managers
• Providing competitive meaningful employment
• Providing a person-centred approach to work and workplace support
• A commitment to continuous evaluation and improvement of the workforce

The report pack noted that people with learning disabilities and autistic people are underrepresented in the workforce, being significantly more likely to be socio-economically inactive even when compared to people with other recognised disabilities.

The report pack stated that the implementation of the charter would be overseen by the Learning Disabilities and Autism Employment Steering Group and monitored within the annual reporting on workforce data.

The report pack stated that, subject to Human Resource policies being updated and approved, the implementation of the charter identifies key actions that must be undertaken by the council to more appropriately recruit and support autistic people and people with a learning disability:

• Workforce engagement
• Selective recruitment focus
• Inclusive recruitment practices
• Individualized employment plans
• Job matching and placement
• On-the-job support
• Community partnerships

The report pack also included an Equality & Health Impact Assessment (EqHIA) for the Havering Employment Charter for Autistic People and People with Learning Disabilities. The EqHIA stated that the charter is expected to have a positive effect on the employment of people with learning disabilities and autistic people within Havering that are directly employed by the council.

Review of Foster Carer Allowances

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss a review of foster carer allowances. The report pack noted that the council has a legal duty to recruit and keep enough foster carers to provide safe and supportive homes for children in care. It also noted that it is important for children to stay near their local area, so they can keep attending their usual schools and maintain relationships with family and friends.

The report pack stated that there has been a national drop in the number of foster carers, with a 4% decrease in England last year and nearly 10% fewer carers since 2021. It also stated that many leave due to lack of support and financial pressures.

The report pack stated that Havering's foster carer payments have not kept up with rising living costs and are not competitive with those offered by neighbouring councils and below the national minimum allowance for foster carers recommended by central government.

The proposal was to increase both the weekly fee for foster carers and the allowance for each child, making Havering's offer more competitive. The report pack stated that using in-house foster carers is much more cost-effective than relying on agencies, saving around £32,000 per child each year. It also stated that by improving financial support and recruitment efforts, the council aims to recruit at least 17 more in-house foster carers each year.

The report pack contained a copy of the Havering Fostering Fees and Allowances 2023-2024.

Corporate Parenting Strategy

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss Havering's statutory Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025–2028. The strategy sets out the council's commitment to ensuring that children in care and care experienced young people are supported to thrive and reach their full potential. The strategy is guided by the borough's WISH principles, ensuring every child is Well, Inspired, Safe, Heard, and Treated Fairly and is aligned with the Havering Vision and the Integrated Starting Well Plan.

The strategy includes the following promises:

• Well: Helping young people stay healthy, supporting their mental wellbeing, and making sure their health needs are met.
• Inspired: Cheering young people on and supporting their education and ambitions, helping them plan for their future, and giving them chances to try new things.
• Safe: Working with others to keep young people safe at home, in education, and in their community.
• Heard: Listening to young people, involving them in decisions, and supporting them to speak up.
• Treated Fairly: Celebrating who young people are, making sure everyone is treated with respect and kindness, and challenging any discrimination.

The report pack stated that the Corporate Parenting Panel will monitor the delivery of the strategy and associated action plan, which will include scrutinising that there is:

• Timely access to health and mental health services.
• Strengthened education, employment, and mentoring pathways.
• Strengthened housing pathways.
• Safer placements and community environments.
• Meaningful participation of young people in shaping services.
• Promotion of fairness, inclusion, and cultural celebration.

The report pack stated that an annual report will be taken to People Overview and scrutiny on progress.

Vulnerable Person Policy for Council Tenants (2025)

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss the Vulnerable Person Policy for Council Tenants (2025). The policy sets out Havering Housing Services' commitment to assisting its vulnerable tenants to access services and to sustain their tenancy. It describes how a resident's vulnerabilities will be identified and recorded, and how the council can adjust the way it delivers services to ensure the resident is not disadvantaged by their vulnerability.

The policy explains:

• The staffing arrangements to be put in place to support this policy.
• How vulnerabilities will be identified and recorded.
• Safeguarding arrangements for vulnerable tenants.
• How the council will support vulnerable residents who lack the capacity to make decisions.
• How services may be adjusted for vulnerable residents.
• How tenancy management and enforcement will take vulnerabilities into account.
• How this policy will be monitored.

The policy defines 'vulnerable' in relation to the provision of its services as:

Residents who have a particular characteristic and/or experience a specific life event, that means they are currently unable to act independently and/or are unable to cope with managing their tenancy without additional support.

The policy objectives are to provide fair and supportive treatment for vulnerable residents in Havering. Havering Housing Services will quickly identify and record any vulnerabilities a tenant has, before deciding the service adjustments that are required to better support that resident.

Other Matters

The sub-committee was also scheduled to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2025. The minutes included a discussion of a report on the CQC Assurance of the Council, and a report on the council's EHCP needs and pressures.