The Council of the London Borough of Havering was scheduled to meet on Wednesday 23 July 2025. The agenda included annual reports from committees and member champions, petitions, and the election of Member Champions for the Over 50s and for the Voluntary Sector Compact. Also to be discussed was a report of the Chief Executive on Exceptions to the Call-in (Requisition) Procedure.

Corporate Parenting Panel Annual Report

The Corporate Parenting Panel met four times between August 2024 and May 2025 and its annual report was scheduled to be received. Councillor Jason Frost is the Chair of the panel, and Councillors Oscar Ford, Mandy Anderson, Stephanie Nunn, and Frankie Walker are also members.

The panel considered reports including feedback from the Cocoon Management Forum and 'Say It Louder' on summer activities.

Cocoon Management Forum

The Cocoon Centre's management team provided feedback, including that young people were rewriting the Havering Care Local Offer to make it shorter, more digestible, and visually appealing. They also suggested using a poll to determine preferred terminology, moving away from leaving care to something like care experienced.

Suggestions on content and format improvements included:

o Introduction of concise summaries, bullet points, and Did You Know? facts to replace dense paragraphs. o Inclusion of relevant contact information at the end of each chapter, instead of in a separate section. o Enhanced visual appeal with images and a colourful design.

The panel noted inconsistencies in entitlement awareness among young people and suggestions for improvement in communicating entitlements like the setting-up home allowance.

Say It Louder

The panel received an update presentation regarding activities done with the Children in Care Council 'Say It Louder' and feedback from the Youth Influence and Participation Services. Activities included light cooking and healthy eating workshops, arts and crafts projects, and cultural trips to the Tate Modern.

Performance Data

The Corporate Parenting dataset 2024/25 as at 31 August 2024 was provided to the panel. The number of Children in care increased by 19% during 2023/24, from 235 at 30th April 2023 up to 280 at 31st March 2024, followed by stabilisation between April and August 2024.

50% of placements were in-house, up from 49% in 2023/24. Following changes to legislation regarding Semi-Independent (supported), accommodation have now been implemented, with Ofsted taking over the regulation of these services. 8% of the cohort are in such a place. There is a small increase in children placed more than 20 miles outside their home area, now at 17.9%.

Health Subgroup

The panel received a report from the health subgroup, which resumed meetings in January 2024 with an updated membership and terms of reference. Co-chairing arrangements were established with the Interim Head of Corporate Parenting Service.

The subgroup detailed the following year-to-date activities: regular agenda items, data review, audits, updates on initiatives like Healthy Smiles and the health assessment pathway for asylum-seeking children, and themed meetings to address specific health areas. The first theme focused on mental health, with outcomes pending.

Fostering and Mockingbird

The panel received a presentation update from the Head of Corporate Parenting and Fostering Service Manager on the North East London Fostering & Mockingbird.

The current number of In-House Carers stood at 95 carers with 4 new households approved this financial year and 5 currently being assessed. There have been 4 resignations this financial year (mainly retirements) and 1 more pending. Communication issues have been raised as a concern by some departing carers.

The service has continued to make the following improvement: timeliness of assessment process, improved communication, and weekly meetings to review carers on hold.

The service outlined the use of Connected Carers: There were currently 17 Connected carer households who care for 27 children. The service also has 19 temporarily approved households who care for 28 children.

The presentation outlined the following initiatives that will support children in care: Local Community Fostering, Mockingbird, Fostering Friendly, and Supported Lodgings.

Terms of Reference

The panel received the Terms of Reference of the Corporate Parenting Panel.

The aim of the Corporate Parenting Panel is to act as responsible parents to all children in care and care leavers, ensuring that the Council's pledge to children in care and the local offer to care leavers is fulfilled. The Panel will raise awareness of the needs of children in care and care leavers throughout the Council and its partners.

Young People's Voice

The panel received a presentation from Young People's CIC group, and was advised of the activities that the group undertook, and the activities that the Young people are looking forward to undertake.

The Panel noted the following aspirations of the Young People: Involving more young people in the Youth Group, Restarting the Say It Louder Forum, Recruitment campaign to increase numbers coming to forum.

The Young People advised the Panel of the following skills they would like to develop further: Cooking, Independence skills eg.: managing finances and budgeting, Sewing and embroidery, CV development and employability skills, Work experience, Sitting on interview panels.

Ofsted Monitoring Visit

The Director Children Services (DCS) provided the Panel an update on the Ofsted monitoring visit, highlighting positive feedback on investment, management, and social workers. Areas for improvement included supervision, care planning, and recording.

The Panel noted that the next monitoring visit is anticipated to take place between June and September 2025, with the focus likely on care-experienced young people.

Corporate Parenting Strategy Subgroups

The Head of Service Corporate Parenting provided the Panel with the Corporate Parenting update. The Panel was advised that at the most recent focused visit from Ofsted, it was noted that the service needs to create and update the Council's Corporate Parenting Strategy.

The following priorities were highlighted within the previous Corporate Parenting Strategy:

• Priority 1 Keeping our Children Safe
• Priority 2 Hear young people
• Priority 3 Caring home for all
• Priority 4 – Aspiration, education and opportunity
• Priority 5 Understand our services
• Priority 6 Excellent health outcomes

Fostering

The Panel was provided the annual report that outlines the activities conducted by the Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer (FIRO), presenting an analysis of the data collected and providing a targeted plan for the upcoming year.

The following key targets of the report were highlighted: Increase in the use of midway reviews to check in with foster carers and provide support as needed, enhanced collection of feedback from young people and partner agencies to improve fostering services, and improved supervision recording and compliance with DBS checks and medicals for foster carers.

Performance Exception Report

The Head of Service Corporate Parenting (HSCP) advised the panel on the Quarter 4 Exceptions report (January to March 2025) regarding key performance indicators (KPIs) as reported at the end of March 2025 with some analysis to enable Members and partners to understand progress. The KPIs focused on, related to Children in Care, Care Leavers and key Fostering and Adoption performance areas.

Annual Reports of Committees and Member Champions

The council was scheduled to receive the annual reports of committees and member champions. These included reports from:

• The Audit Committee
• The Pensions Committee
• The Overview and Scrutiny Board
• The Places Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee
• The People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee
• The Corporate Parenting Panel

Petitions

Councillors Viddy Persaud and Paul McGeary had given notice of their intention to present a petition. The agenda also allowed for any other petitions to be presented.

Vacant Positions

The council was scheduled to elect Member Champions for the Over 50s and for the Voluntary Sector Compact.

Recommendations and Reports

The council was scheduled to consider a report of the Chief Executive on Exceptions to the Call-in (Requisition) Procedure.