The Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for 26 January 2026 was set to review progress made in the third quarter of the financial year, with a particular focus on the Corporate Parenting Annual Plan 2025-2026. Key discussions were expected to cover updates on the Virtual School Model evaluation, social value initiatives for children looked after, and progress on Priority 5: Involving and Celebrating our Children and Young People.

Q3 Progress Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the progress of the Corporate Parenting Annual Plan 2025-2026 for the third quarter. This update was expected to highlight key achievements and areas of focus for the Corporate Parenting team. The report pack indicated that this would include an update on actions and queries raised at previous committee meetings, a quarterly Key Performance Indicator (KPI) report, and details of an upcoming partnership event aimed at increasing awareness of corporate parenting responsibilities among key partners. The report also outlined plans for developing the Corporate Parenting Annual Plan for 2026-2027 and presented an overview of work undertaken to explore how social value can create opportunities for children looked after. Additionally, the evaluation of the Virtual School Model pilot, which aimed to improve educational outcomes for children looked after, was scheduled for discussion.

Social Value for Children Looked After

Jade Williams from the Corporate Parenting Team was scheduled to present on the topic of social value for children looked after. This discussion was expected to cover how social value initiatives can be leveraged to create opportunities and support for children looked after, aligning with the council's corporate parenting responsibilities.

Evaluation of the Virtual School Model

Deborah Williams, the Virtual School Headteacher, was scheduled to present findings from the evaluation of the Virtual School Model pilot. This evaluation aimed to assess the approaches taken by local authorities involved in the pilot, compare them with non-pilot areas, and explore the short-term and anticipated long-term impacts of these models on children looked after. The report pack indicated that the evaluation provided recommendations for strengthening the national approach to improving educational outcomes for care-experienced learners.

Priority 5: Involving and Celebrating our Children and Young People

This section of the agenda was dedicated to Priority 5 of the Corporate Parenting Annual Plan, focusing on the involvement and celebration of children and young people.

Highlights from Independent Advocacy

Scott Giles from the National Youth Adoption Service was scheduled to provide highlights from their independent advocacy services. This would likely cover the role of advocacy in supporting children and young people, particularly those in the looked-after system, and how their voices are amplified.

Ensuring Children's Voice

Matt Osborne and Lucy Thomas from Children's Services were expected to discuss how children's voices are being ensured within the council's services. This would likely include an update on the recently launched Children's Services Participation Strategy 2026-2029, which aims to embed participation across all teams and ensure that the voices, needs, priorities, and rights of children and young people are central to public policies, programmes, and decisions. The report pack indicated that this strategy focuses on creating inclusive and respectful environments where young people's feelings are actively sought, valued, and acted upon, utilising the Degrees of Participation Model.

The meeting was also scheduled to note the date of the next meeting, which was planned for 13 April at 3pm.