The Corporate Parenting Panel of Warwickshire Council met on Monday 15 June 2026 to discuss a range of topics concerning children in care and care leavers. Key areas scheduled for discussion included updates on Warwickshire's Children's Homes, performance data relating to children in care, and the Virtual School's report. The panel also reviewed the annual progress of the Local Offer for Care Experienced Young People.

Updates from the Chair, Directors and Senior Officers

The meeting was scheduled to include updates from the Chair, Directors, and Senior Officers on matters within the remit of the Corporate Parenting Panel.

Voice, Influence & Change Team

The Voice, Influence & Change Team was scheduled to present updates on their recent activities. This included information on the Care Leavers Forum, the development of training for staff and pupils regarding Children in Care (CIC), and the creation of a Youth Ambassador role. The team was also expected to report on events held for Children in Care, such as a visit to Flip Out, and the Voices United event which brought together representatives from various youth forums across Warwickshire. Additionally, updates were anticipated regarding the introduction of a Children's Homes Advisory Board and the progress of separated young people's football team.

Warwickshire Children's Homes

Verbal updates were scheduled to be provided regarding each of Warwickshire's Children's Homes. This included information on current occupancy rates, with a noted reduction associated with a young person successfully transitioning into their own tenancy. The panel was also to be informed about a planning application for Willow Tree, which officers were escalating as a priority. The report pack indicated that recruitment for Residential Manager posts remains a national challenge.

Performance Data

The panel was scheduled to receive a report on performance data concerning children in care. This included information on the total number of Children in Care, with an increase noted primarily within the Stratford District. The report pack also detailed the number of separated children, the reliance on agency foster carers due to a national shortage, and the number of children placed under adoption orders. The panel was to be updated on placement stability, which remained below the national average, and adoption performance, noting a recent spike in babies coming into care. Information on care leavers remaining in contact with the service and data relating to Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) were also on the agenda.

Virtual School Summer 2006

Deena Moorey, Head of the Virtual School, was scheduled to present a report on the Virtual School's activities and outcomes. The report was to cover attainment data for Children in Care (CIC) across Early Years, Year One Phonics, Key Stage 2, and Key Stage 4. It was also to detail post-16 outcomes, including engagement in education, employment, or training (EET). The report was to provide an overview of the Virtual School's cohort, including those with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), and outline enrichment activities, training programmes, and staffing. Information on school quality, attendance, suspensions, Personal Education Plans (PEPs), and Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) funding was also to be discussed.

Annual Review of the Local Offer for Care Experienced Young People

This report was scheduled to provide an annual update on Warwickshire's Local Offer for Care Experienced Young People aged 16–25. It was to cover performance, impact, and feedback from young people. The report highlighted strong demand for financial support, such as birthday and festive payments, and independence-focused support like Setting Up Home grants and Council Tax relief. Feedback indicated a desire for improvements including free public transport, free prescriptions, and better access to care service records. The report also noted national developments regarding free prescriptions, dental care, and eye tests for care leavers.

Development of the Work Programme and Items on the Forward Plan

The panel was scheduled to consider items from the Forward Plan relevant to its remit. This included noting the Work Programme and reports proposed for future meetings.

Learning from Reviews - Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Partnership

This item was listed for consideration, with the potential for members of the public to be excluded from the meeting due to the disclosure of exempt information.