The Corporate Parenting Committee met on Thursday 25 March 2010 to discuss the performance of children looked after services and the health of children in care. Decisions were made to endorse measures to improve long-term stability for looked after children and to schedule a future meeting dedicated to the health of children in care.

Children Looked After Performance Monitoring Report

The committee noted the Children Looked After Performance Monitoring Report and endorsed the measures being adopted to address performance in relation to long-term stability. It was also resolved that future performance reports, due in the autumn, should include details of university placements for children looked after (CLA).

Health of Children in Care

An update report from the designated doctor for children in care was noted and accepted. The committee agreed that a future meeting should be dedicated to the theme of Being Healthy for looked after children, covering strategies for mental health, substance use, teenage pregnancy, physical health, and positive activities. In response to the report, the committee highlighted the need for the commissioning process to factor in the key requirement for health care needs and plans for children to be met, with an appropriate link to the Children's Trust. The need for an identified nurse for young people in care over the age of 18 was also raised, and a report on the progress of these requests will be presented to a future committee meeting.

Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) Strategy - Progress Update

The committee noted the progress of the children looked after (CLA) services not in education, employment or training (NEET) strategy since its presentation in November 2009. Councillor Lisa Rajan, Chair of the committee, requested that the 'foot in the door' scheme, which aims to generate part-time work experience and promote part-time work opportunities for young people, be examined in the context of the NEET strategy at a future meeting.

Corporate Parenting Committee Work Plan 2010

The Corporate Parenting Committee's work plan for 2010 was noted. Officers were tasked with checking the status of previous report requests to ensure that any outstanding requests are included in the next work plan.