The Corporate Parenting Panel of Lincolnshire Council was scheduled to discuss several reports related to children in care, including the Voices for Choices annual report, the Sufficiency Strategy action plan, the Fostering Service annual report, the Independent Reviewing Service annual report, and the Regulation 44 Independent Visitors report. The panel was also scheduled to review and approve its work programme for the coming year. The meeting was scheduled to take place at the County Offices in Newland, Lincoln.

Fostering Service Annual Report

The panel was invited to review and endorse the Fostering Service Annual Report 2024-2025, which included information on the activity and performance of the Fostering Service over the past year. The report noted that fostering services are much needed both nationally and in Lincolnshire, and that the service requires a diverse range of foster carers to provide stability and security to children.

The report mentioned challenges in recruiting new foster carers, as well as a reduction in interest in fostering, which has resulted in a greater reliance on the independent sector. The report stated that Greater Manchester and the South East have been chosen as pathfinders for regional care co-operatives (RCCs), under which individual councils pool their resources and plan placements centrally.

The report also included information on:

• The number of foster carers
• The role of the fostering service
• Training and development for foster carers
• Foster carer recruitment and retention
• Placement stability
• Family Finders
• Family Lincs Care
• Staying Put
• Kinship care
• Fostering Panel

The panel was also asked to note the Fostering Service Statement of Purpose 2025-26¹.

Regulation 44 Independent Visitors Report

The panel was invited to consider the six monthly report on the Regulation 44 Independent Visiting Service, and to seek assurance that the Independent Visitors are fulfilling their obligations in visiting the local authority homes each month as required.

The report stated that Part 6, regulation 43 of the Children's Home Regulation 2015 makes provision for the appointment of an Independent Visitor. The visits are required to be made on a monthly basis. The Regulation 44 Independent Visiting Officers are with the Quality and Standards Service and are Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO).

The report detailed the homes performance against the standards and provides an overview of how the standards are being met. The report also provided a summary of how the individual homes are meeting each of the care standards, and makes recommendations to ensure there is clarity in prioritising areas for immediate action where these are identified during visits.

The report included feedback from young people, social workers, other relevant professionals, and parents/guardians.

Independent Reviewing Service Annual Report

The panel was invited to consider and comment on the Independent Reviewing Service Annual Report 2024-25, and to seek assurance that Independent Reviewing Officers are fulfilling their duties and obligations in line with statutory guidance set out in the IRO handbook (2010).

The report stated that the IRO Service is set within the framework of the IRO Handbook 2010 which provides statutory guidance for Independent Reviewing Officers and Local Authorities on their functions in relation to case management and review for children in care.

The report provided an update on priorities from 2023-2024, including:

• Establishing the IRO Service as an Independent team within the Quality & Standards Service
• Maintaining links with CAFCASS² and establishing an annual training event across both services
• Establishing and embedding clear protocols and working practices that ensures children on CP³ plans who become Children in Care are transferred smoothly between services
• The IRO Team Manager to be the lead link for the newly established Children in Care Practice Advisor, to support and guide a range of practice improvements
• Working closer with the Participation and Fostering Team to further engage in events such as V4C (Children in Care Council)
• Establishing 2 defined groups within the IRO Service that work with children with disabilities (CWD) and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC)

The report also included information on:

• The professional profile of the IRO service
• Staffing
• Short Term Breaks (STB's)
• Advocacy/Independent Visitor
• Timeliness of reviews
• Children and young people's preparation and involvement in reviews
• Plans for Children in Care
• Identifying good practice, problem resolution and escalation
• Management oversight
• Leaving Care – Director's Decision
• Quality Assurance of the IRO Service

Sufficiency Strategy 2023-2027

The panel was invited to consider and endorse the updated annual action plan for the Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy 2023-2027 for 2024-25.

The report stated that Section 22G of the Children Act 1989 places a duty on local authorities to act strategically to address gaps in provision by ensuring that they include, in relevant commissioning strategies, their plans for meeting the sufficiency duty.

The report also referenced the Lincolnshire Children's Services Independent Placements Market Position Statement 2025-26.

The Appendix A - Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy Action Plan 2024-25 update included information on:

• In-house regulated placements
• Independent regulated placements
• Supported accommodation
• Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)
• Care leavers

Lincolnshire Children in Care and Care Leavers Council - Voices for Choices (V4C) 2024-25 Annual Report

The panel was invited to receive a report from Ben Lilley, Practice Supervisor – Quality and Standards, which provides a summary of the activities regarding Lincolnshire Children's Services Children in Care and Care Leavers Council (V4C) for 2024-25 and invites the Panel to comment on future planning and delivery of V4C meetings and activities.

The report stated that the V4C aims to share care experiences in Lincolnshire and to inform those teams who support them on what does and does not work for them. The meetings and activities bring care-experienced young people together with senior leaders to hear their experiences and views on services and resources to help inform service development.

The report included an overview of meetings that have taken place, and discussions that have been had, including:

• Independent Reviewing Officer Information and Materials
• New feedback survey for children and young people (in care)
• Foster Carer Awards
• FAB Awards Planning
• East Midlands Local Authority Regional Participation – Training Resource Project
• Fostering Service – Requests For Feedback
• Care Leavers feedback (Leaving Care Audit)
• Care Leavers Core Offer Transformation
• Young people attending Corporate Parenting Panel

The report also detailed the future development of V4C, including a 'V4C Champions' staff group.

Corporate Parenting Panel Work Programme

The panel was invited to consider its work programme. The proposed themes for thematic meetings were:

• Cross Cutting theme for all meetings: Participation
• 'Keeping Well' (Health [Physical and Mental] and Wellbeing)
• 'Where We Live' (Sufficiency [Housing, fostering and supported living placements])
• 'Our Aspirations for the Future' (Education Training, Employment and careers)
• 'My Challenges and How I Keep Safe' (Criminal Justice ad Interventions)