The Lancashire County Council Corporate Parenting Board met on Wednesday to review its constitution and membership, receive updates from the Participation Team and the Pendle District Team, and to discuss the PayPoint payment service, the Mental Health Pathways Directory, the Care Leavers' Survey, and the upcoming Care Leaver Month in November. The board reviewed and noted its constitution and membership.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussion points:

Constitution, Membership and Terms of Reference

The Board reviewed and noted the constitution, membership, and terms of reference of the Corporate Parenting Board, as approved by the Full Council on 22 May 2025. The board is comprised of seven county councillors and is an advisory body that supports and makes recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Children and Families and the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills on matters related to corporate parenting¹. The constitution, membership and terms of reference are presented for the information of the Corporate Parenting Board.

Participation Team Update

Young people from Lancashire's Children in Care Council (LINX) and the Care Leavers Forum (CLF) provided an update on their activities since the last board meeting.

At the previous meeting in March, young people from LINX/CLF reminded the board of their activities and achievements over the last four years, including:

• Adapting to remote meetings during the pandemic.
• The Youth Takeover meeting in July 2021 at Hothersall Lodge.
• Naming care homes.
• Creating a request form to manage requests to the groups.
• The 2023 Youth Takeover meeting at County Hall, which focused on financial support, lasting homes, health and wellbeing, and education, employment and training.
• Creating the golden rules of participation.
• Explaining the Lundy model².
• Creating the Get Involved Process .

The young people highlighted positive changes within Lancashire County Council that the Corporate Parenting Board has helped with, such as:

• More children and care leavers being able to reconnect with people that are important to them because of Lifelong Links³.
• Full Council commitment to support care leavers into employment or offer work experience within Lancashire County Council.
• Lancashire Skills plans to include a skills hub pledge.
• The Local Member Grant contribution, which has helped to fund activities such as PROUD, the event that recognises the achievements of young people.

PayPoint

Andreas Feldhaar, Permanence Service, Lancashire County Council, and Clare Smith, Policy, Commissioning and Children's Health Service, Lancashire County Council, led a discussion on the current payment service, PayPoint, used by Lancashire County Council for care experienced young people.

Mental Health Pathways Directory

Andreas Feldhaar, Permanence Service, Lancashire County Council, gave an overview of the Mental Health Pathways Directory.

District Team Update - Pendle

The Pendle Team Manager and care experienced young people from Pendle provided an overview of what is happening with regards to care experienced young people at a district level.

Care Leavers' Survey

Andreas Feldhaar, Permanence Service, Lancashire County Council, presented the results from the 2025 Care Leavers' Survey.

Care Leaver Month

Andreas Feldhaar, Permanence Service, Lancashire County Council, provided an update on the forthcoming Care Leaver Month, which will take place in November 2025.