The Corporate Parenting Board of the Isles of Scilly Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 10 June 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the Board's terms of reference, practical guidance for members, the definition of vulnerable children, and the council's corporate parenting core offer.

Defining Vulnerable Children and the Board's Role

A significant focus of the meeting is expected to be the definition of vulnerable children within the specific context of the Isles of Scilly. The report pack indicates that this discussion aims to establish a clear understanding of vulnerability, acknowledging that while the islands benefit from strong community networks, their unique geography and isolation can also intensify challenges. The paper highlights that vulnerability is not static and can be influenced by various factors, including family stress, access to services, and transitions in a child's life. The Corporate Parenting Board is seen as having a key role in ensuring that services work effectively together to prevent gaps in provision due to geography or service thresholds.

The report also outlines common drivers of vulnerability relevant to the Isles of Scilly, such as family stress, parental mental health, exposure to domestic abuse, alcohol and drug misuse, young carers, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), post-16 educational transitions, transport risks, children open to Children's Social Care, limited access to specialist services, housing pressures, and isolation within a small community. It notes that in a close-knit community, some vulnerabilities may be less visible and that children who may not meet statutory thresholds can still experience significant needs. The paper stresses that as corporate parents, Board members have a collective responsibility to act in the best interests of vulnerable children, children in care, and care leavers, promoting stability, listening to their voices, removing barriers, and championing equality of opportunity.

Corporate Parenting Core Offer

The meeting is also scheduled to discuss the development of a Corporate Parenting Core Offer (CP Offer). This offer aims to ensure that vulnerable children and young people on the Isles of Scilly are safe, well-supported, and able to thrive, within a system that is ready to respond effectively as a corporate parent. The discussion framework for the CP Offer covers several key areas:

• Accommodation and Stability: Ensuring stability and access to appropriate accommodation, including preparedness for urgent situations and potential care placements.
• Education and Opportunity: Guaranteeing access to opportunities that support positive outcomes, addressing geographical barriers and providing access to a broader range of opportunities beyond the islands.
• Health and Wellbeing: Ensuring timely access to appropriate health and wellbeing support, including specialist services, and addressing how mental health and emotional wellbeing needs will be met.
• Relationships and Support Networks: Fostering stable, consistent relationships and reliable support networks, and balancing professional support with community networks.
• Financial and Resource Considerations: Effectively allocating resources and ensuring financial processes enable timely and appropriate support.
• Participation and Voice of the Child: Ensuring children and young people's views are heard, understood, and used to inform decision-making and service development.
• Early Help and Prevention: Identifying vulnerability early and providing effective support to prevent escalation to higher levels of need.
• System Readiness: Ensuring the system is prepared, coordinated, and able to respond effectively if a child requires care or increased support.

Following the discussion, the Director of Children's Services is expected to develop the Offer based on the priorities, risks, and principles agreed by the Board, translating key gaps and risks into a focused action plan.

Practical Guidance for Members and Board Responsibilities

The meeting will also consider practical guidance on members' responsibilities and expectations as corporate parents. This guidance is intended to address the action from a previous meeting on 26 March 2026, aiming to clearly set out what is expected of Board members. The document highlights that the absence of current looked-after children or care leavers does not diminish corporate parenting responsibilities, placing greater emphasis on ensuring a collective, immediate, and effective response when a child requires support.

The guidance outlines specific focuses for the Chair, elected councillors, council officers, and partners. For elected councillors, the guidance suggests they should advocate for vulnerable children, promote inclusion, and engage in independent and constructive assessment of response plans. Council officers are expected to provide comprehensive analysis and evidence, proactively ensure systems and pathways are understood and reviewed, and focus on the likely experience of a vulnerable child. Partners are guided to be confident in recognising vulnerability, know how to access early help, and contribute practical insights to Board meetings.

Furthermore, the draft Terms of Reference for the Corporate Parenting Board will be presented for discussion. These terms outline the Board's purpose as a multi-agency leadership and oversight body responsible for strategic direction, challenge, and assurance in fulfilling the Council of the Isles of Scilly's statutory duties. The purpose of the Board is to implement a Care Ready strategy, ensuring that every child and young person on the Isles of Scilly, particularly those identified as vulnerable, are safe, supported, and able to thrive. The responsibilities detailed include establishing a shared understanding of corporate parenting principles, maintaining oversight of vulnerable children, and ensuring that service, workforce, governance, and partnership arrangements are robust and ready to provide high-quality, coordinated support.

The meeting will also review the Actions Tracker from the previous meeting held on 26 March 2026, noting the status of various actions. The draft minutes from that meeting will be confirmed.