The Children, Families and Education Select Committee met to discuss corporate parenting responsibilities, panel membership, persistent absenteeism, policy review guidance, and the forward plan and work programme. The committee agreed to appoint Councillors Nick Denys, Heena Makwana and Jan Sweeting as permanent members of the Corporate Parenting Panel, and Councillors Becky Haggar OBE, Peter Smallwood OBE and Tony Gill as substitutes. The committee also noted the final review report on persistent absenteeism.

Corporate Parenting

The committee received a report providing an overview of the council's corporate parenting responsibilities. Corporate parenting refers to the responsibility of the local authority to provide the same care and protection for children in care as any parent would. The report highlighted that corporate parenting is a shared responsibility across the council, with all elected members, officers, and departments having a role to play.

The council has a statutory responsibility to children looked after until they are 18, and then as care experienced young people until they are 25. At the end of March 2025, Hillingdon Council was corporate parent for 330 children under 18 and 602 young people aged 18-25.

The report also outlined the seven corporate parenting principles set out in the Children and Social Work Act 2017¹:

• Act in the best interests of children and young people
• Encourage children and young people to express their views
• Take into account the views of children and young people
• Help children and young people access services
• Promote high aspirations and seek the best outcomes
• Ensure children and young people are safe and have stability
• Prepare children and young people for adulthood and independent living

The committee noted the developments and achievements outlined in the report, endorsed the continued embedding of corporate parenting principles across all services, and supported ongoing efforts to prepare for the expanded statutory duties from 2025.

Corporate Parenting Panel Membership

The committee considered the membership of the Corporate Parenting Panel for 2025-26. The panel supports the Select Committee in championing corporate parenting across the council, engaging children in care and care experienced young people in the democratic and decision-making process.

The committee agreed to appoint Councillors Nick Denys, Heena Makwana and Jan Sweeting as permanent members of the panel, and Councillors Becky Haggar OBE, Peter Smallwood OBE and Tony Gill as substitutes. Councillor Nick Denys was confirmed as the Chair of the Corporate Parenting Panel and Councillor Heena Makwana as the Vice-Chair.

Persistent Absenteeism Review

The committee considered the final version of the review report on persistent absenteeism. The report was approved by the Chair and Opposition Lead on behalf of the committee. The committee noted the final review report.

Policy Review Discussion and Guidance

The committee discussed potential topics for future policy reviews and considered guidance on undertaking such reviews. The committee agreed to:

1. Note the guidance on undertaking policy reviews.
2. Use the scorecard provided to assess policy review topic ideas.
3. Develop a shortlist of potential topic ideas for officers to scope further.
4. Delegate further agreement on review topic selection to the Democratic Services Officer, in conjunction with the Chair and in consultation with the Opposition Lead.

The report [Policy Review Discussion & Guidance] provided detailed guidance on selecting topics and undertaking any policy review. A Scrutiny Topic Scorecard was provided to assist with this.

Forward Plan

The committee considered the Cabinet's Forward Plan, which sets out key decisions to be taken by the Cabinet and Cabinet Members over the coming year. The committee noted the Forward Plan.

Work Programme

The committee considered its work programme, noting future meeting dates. The committee agreed to add consideration of the next review topic to the work programme.