The Corporate Parenting Partnership convened to discuss several key issues affecting children in care and care leavers in Blackburn with Darwen. Updates were provided on partner activities, the Corporate Parenting Strategy, support for young people, and data related to children in care. The partnership also reviewed the minutes from their previous meeting and planned for future agenda items.

Care Leavers: Independence and Support

Suzanne Kinder, Head of Corporate Parenting & Performance, presented updates on the council's strategy to support care leavers' independence, which is a priority in the Corporate Parenting Partnership action plan. The plan outlines three key objectives for 2027:

• Supporting young people to move towards independence at their own pace.
• Assisting with applications for essential documents like birth certificates and National Insurance numbers.
• Providing practical, emotional, and financial support to all young adults until at least age 21, and where necessary, until age 25.

A key element of this strategy is the revised Pathway Plan (PWP), co-designed with young people and other local authorities. The new plan aims to be more user-friendly and tailored to individual needs, incorporating assessments, planning, and key information in one document.

To further support care leavers, the council is launching a hub within the existing family hubs, offering practical support such as life skills workshops, housing assistance, and education and employment support. Emotional support will also be available through counselling, mentorship programs, and peer support groups. Financial support will be provided through grants, scholarships, and workshops on financial management.

The council is also collaborating with community groups such as Rumage Rescuers, The Rees Foundation, Barnardo's Care Leavers' Services, The Prince's Trust, The Oaks Money Advice Centre in Blackburn, and Shelter to provide a comprehensive support network for care leavers.

Transition Policy

Suzanne Kinder, Head of Corporate Parenting & Performance, also provided an update on the Transition Policy, designed to ensure a smooth transition for young people moving from children's to adult services. The policy addresses finance and funding, accommodation, and complex case management, highlighting the differences between the Children's Act and the Care Act to ease anxieties during the transition.

The policy includes provisions for:

• Home and accommodation
• Continuing health care and complex health care
• Contacting adult services
• Transitions operations meetings
• Accommodation and being tenancy ready
• Staying put¹
• Care and support at home
• Shared lives arrangements
• Foster carer discussions
• Supported lodgings

Councillor Julie Gunn, Chair of the meeting, noted the positive impact of the policy on parents and families, helping to remove the cliff edge that young people used to experience at age 18. Kirsty Cleary, Designated Nurse, Lancashire & South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, praised the policy's incorporation of health considerations.

Children in Care and Care Leavers: ChAT Data

Andrew Bradbury, Service Lead, Leaving Care, presented the Children's Services Analysis Tool (ChAT) data for the last six months. Key points from the report included:

• A significant increase in the number of children becoming looked after, rising from 62 to 96, a 54.8% increase year on year.
• The overall number of children in care increased from 343 to 385, a 12.2% increase year on year.
• The percentage of children subject to Interim Care Orders (ICOs) increased from 24% to 32% year on year.
• The percentage of children living in foster homes remained steady at 68%, while there was an increase in children living in residential children's homes, from 29 to 49, a 68.9% increase year on year.
• Of the 43 children with missing from home (MFH) episodes during this period, 10 children accounted for 66% of the episodes.
• 94% of children in care for more than 12 months have an up-to-date health assessment, and 95% have had a dental check in the last 12 months.
• The total number of young people open to Leaving Care services is 353, an increase from 348 in 2024.
• 55 care leavers are recorded as having a disability, an increase from 41 in 2024.
• There are a low number of young people living in unsuitable accommodation: two aged 17-18 and two aged 19-21.
• The percentage of care leavers aged 17-18 in education, training, or employment has increased from 58% in 2024 to 67% currently, while the percentage for those aged 19-21 has remained the same at 47%.

Corporate Parenting Communications Campaign

Charlotte Bradshaw, Strategic Comms Manager, provided an update on the corporate parenting communications campaign. The campaign aims to improve the internal culture and perception of young people in care, increase understanding of the role of a corporate parent, build a positive storytelling campaign, engage local businesses, and increase the number of foster care placements by 20%.

The communications team is focusing on sharing positive news stories, producing leaflets, posters, and email footers, and promoting the wearing of corporate parent pin badges.

Connect to Work Programme

Amraize Hussain, Employability Project Lead, presented an overview of the Connect to Work programme, which is part of the government's strategy to get the UK working. The programme provides personalised employment support based on a place, train, and maintain model, with one-on-one support to find suitable jobs and on-the-job training.

The programme focuses on refugees, resettled Afghans, people with disabilities, and care-experienced young people or care leavers. It provides intensive, individualised job support using Individual Placement and Support (IPS) principles, which include a focus on competitive employment, client choice, integration with support services, rapid job search, individualised support, ongoing in-work support, and benefits advice.