The Corporate Parenting Board meeting scheduled for 27 January 2026 was set to discuss the health assessments of children in care, the ANCHOR service for emotional health and wellbeing, and feedback on the NEET Task and Finish Group. The meeting's agenda also included a review of the board's work plan.

Health Assessments for Children in Care

The board was scheduled to receive an update on the work of the Specialist Nursing Team for Children in Care, community paediatricians, and allied health professionals in supporting the health of children in Worcestershire's care. The report highlighted statutory duties regarding health assessments, including Initial Health Assessments (IHAs) and Review Health Assessments (RHAs). It noted challenges faced by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust (HWHCT) due to workforce issues, which had led to some children breaching statutory timescales for assessments. However, improvements were reported, with a higher percentage of IHAs being completed within expected timeframes. The report also detailed the expansion of the Specialist Nurse team and efforts to reduce the backlog of RHAs, although a backlog of 63 RHAs remained at the end of December 2025. The current percentage of children in care with up-to-date health assessments was reported as 71%. An improvement plan was outlined, focusing on a caseload model for nurses from January 2026 to enhance continuity and consistency for children and young people. The report also mentioned positive feedback received regarding the quality of health assessments and support provided by Worcestershire staff. Additionally, it noted recent government plans to provide free prescriptions, dental care, and eye care for care leavers up to the age of 25. The NHS 10-year plan's aims to support children in care through expanded mental health services and early intervention were also referenced.

ANCHOR Service

The meeting was scheduled to receive information about the ANCHOR service, which provides specialist support and intervention for children in care and their carers in Worcestershire. The service aims to promote the health and wellbeing of looked-after children by meeting their health needs, enhancing attachment relationships, and providing therapeutic support. Access to the ANCHOR service is for children looked after by Worcestershire County Council, living in Worcestershire, and aged 0-18, where there is an attachment or trauma need. The team comprises various professionals, including Clinical Psychologists, Social Workers, and a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, who work with carers and other adults to support children. The service offers therapies focused on the effects of trauma and difficult life experiences, often involving children and their carers together. The Green Fingers Project, an outdoor therapeutic activity programme, was also highlighted as part of the ANCHOR service's offerings. The report included referral data for April 2024 to March 2025, detailing the number of new children accepted for support and the types of placements they were in. Outcome monitoring for the ANCHOR service and the Green Fingers Project was also presented, with feedback from young people and carers indicating positive impacts on confidence, stability, and emotional development.

Feedback on NEET Task and Finish Group

A verbal update was scheduled to be provided regarding the NEET Task and Finish Group. NEET stands for Not in Education, Employment, or Training, and this group likely focused on strategies to support young people who are not engaged in these activities.

Work Plan

The board was asked to note its future work programme and consider any matters it wished to incorporate. The work plan included upcoming topics such as the CPB Annual Report, an update on improvements in life stories and transitions, housing, and feedback on Time-out cards for the meeting on 7 May 2026. Future meetings were also scheduled to cover the Annual IRO Report, SEND, and actions to prevent young people becoming looked after, as well as the Care Leavers Annual Report and Youth Voice Annual Report.