The Children, Young Person & Education Scrutiny Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Monday 12 January 2026 to discuss the Corporate Parenting Strategy, the Care Experience Pledge, the Housing Pathway for Care Leavers, and Education, Employment, and Training (EET) for care-experienced young people. Key decisions included endorsing the continued development of the Housing Pathway for Care Leavers and recommending regular reporting on progress against the Corporate Parenting Strategy.

Corporate Parenting Strategy

Cornelia Andrecut, Executive Director of Children's Services, presented the Corporate Parenting Strategy for North Northamptonshire. This strategy aims to guide how the council fulfills its role as a corporate parent, or extra parent as preferred by young people in care. The strategy is built on four priorities identified by young people: belonging and resilience, health and well-being, fulfilling potential, and feeling safe and secure. It sets out a vision for all children in care and care-experienced young people to be safe, supported, and empowered to thrive. The committee noted the strategy's focus on co-production with young people and the establishment of a Corporate Parenting Board. Councillors expressed support for the extra parents terminology and the inclusion of strategic partners like the police. The committee resolved to recommend that regular reporting on the strategy's progress, including updates from the Corporate Parenting Board, be provided to the Scrutiny Committee.

Care Experience Pledge

Colin Foster, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Children's Trust, introduced the Care Experienced Pledge, an initiative designed to encourage local organisations and businesses to support care-experienced young people. The pledge encourages contributions through work experience, apprenticeships, employment, practical support, mentorship, and promoting wellbeing. Young people with care experience shared their personal journeys and the challenges they have faced, highlighting the importance of such initiatives. The committee expressed strong support for the pledge and discussed how elected members could contribute and promote it within their communities.

North Northamptonshire Housing Pathway for Care Leavers

Representatives from Northamptonshire Children's Trust presented an overview of the Housing Pathway for Care Leavers. The report detailed progress made, challenges encountered, and planned improvements. Key achievements included rehiring 10 care leavers via Keyways under the Joint Housing Protocol (JHP) and improved collaboration between Housing Solutions and the Leaving Care Team. Challenges identified included delays in property bids and the use of temporary accommodation. Planned improvements include a consultation to increase priority for care leavers in the Housing Allocations Scheme, introducing autobid functionality, and developing a broader portfolio of supported accommodation options. The committee noted the progress and endorsed the continued development of the Housing Pathway, including proposed changes to the Housing Allocations Scheme, the ongoing review of the JHP, and further development of supported accommodation options and tenancy sustainment support.

Care Experienced Young Adults in Education, Employment and Training (EET)

Debbie Lloyd, Director of Social Care at Northamptonshire Children's Trust, presented a report on the Education, Employment, and Training (EET) status of care-experienced young adults. The data indicated that out of 354 care leavers aged 17-24, 158 were not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET). The report highlighted a growing population of care leavers and the increasing trend of NEET individuals nationally, with care-experienced young people disproportionately affected. The committee noted the targeted interventions in place, such as the NEET to EET Forum, which had led to 14 young people securing employment and others entering college or training. Partnership successes with organisations like the NHS and Waitrose were also highlighted. Challenges included rising NEET levels nationally and barriers related to health, custody, and emotional wellbeing. The committee resolved to note the report's content, understand and monitor rising NEET levels, advocate for the expansion of work experience and new partnership initiatives, consider how scrutiny members could facilitate pilot projects, and request regular updates on NEET/ETE performance and strategic developments. The committee also requested that officers continue to explore and advocate for additional opportunities to enhance the authority's contribution to the Care Experienced Pledge.