The Corporate Parenting Board of Lancashire Council met on Wednesday 20 May 2026 to discuss updates on district teams, participation initiatives, and the corporate parenting strategy. The meeting also included a review of the Leaving Care Local Offer and the final version of the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2026/2030.

District Team Update

The Board was scheduled to receive an overview from the District Team Manager and care-experienced young people from Burnley regarding the current situation for young people in care at a district level.

Participation Team Update

Young people from LINX/CLF (Lancashire's Children in Care Council/Care Leavers Forum) were due to provide an update on their activities since the previous Board meeting. This included information on accessible summaries of Board reports, feedback from care-experienced young people, and progress on the Welcome Box Project. The report pack also detailed funding secured from the Eric Wright Foundation for a summer residential at the Water Park in Coniston, aiming to offer an accredited leadership qualification.

Leaving Care Local Offer Update

Roxanne McAllister, Senior Manager for Children in our Care and Care Leavers, was scheduled to present an update on the Leaving Care Local Offer.

Corporate Parenting - Whole Council Approach

Jennifer Robertshaw, Head of Service for Children in our Care and Care Leavers, was due to provide an update on the Corporate Parenting – Whole Council Approach. This initiative aims to ensure that all council departments consider the needs of children in care and care leavers in their work.

Corporate Parenting Strategy 2026/2030

The final version of the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2026/2030 was scheduled for presentation by Roxanne McAllister and Andreas Feldhaar, both Senior Managers in Children in our Care and Care Leavers. This strategy outlines the council's commitment and plans for supporting children in care and care leavers over the next four years.

Forward Plan

The Board was set to discuss priorities and agree on future agenda items to be included in the forward plan.

Fostering, Adoption, and Private Fostering Annual Reports

The meeting agenda included comprehensive annual reports on Fostering, Adoption, and Private Fostering services.

The Fostering Service Annual Report 2024–25, presented by Heidi Fligauf, Senior Manager of Adolescent Services, Fostering and Adoption, highlighted a 4.5% growth in mainstream foster carers and an 824 children living with Lancashire foster carers. The report detailed expanded support mechanisms for foster carers, including a Mentoring Academy and an increased use of the EAP wellbeing programme. Future priorities included strengthening the fostering model, increasing local placement availability, supporting staff, and using data for decision-making.

Annie Clarkson, Senior Manager, Adolescent Services, Fostering and Adoption, presented the Private Fostering Annual Report. The report noted a 51.5% increase in private fostering arrangements, with 71 arrangements involving 68 children. It detailed outcomes for children supported, with 33% returning home and 20% achieving permanence through legal orders. Future priorities included strengthening private fostering practice, supporting staff, improving data use, and developing the communications strategy.

Paul Dolan, Senior Manager, Adolescent Services, Fostering and Adoption, presented the annual report for Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool. The report acknowledged national challenges in adoption, with fewer adopters than children needing adoption. Within Lancashire and Blackpool, the service was improving timeliness in matching children but had experienced staffing pressures. Successes included the expansion of adoption support services and strengthening adoption panels. Future priorities included relaunching Early Permanence, improving contact and keeping in touch arrangements, and preparing for Ofsted inspections.

National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) Annual Report

Kirsty Clark, Project Co-ordinator for the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS), presented the NYAS Annual Report for 2024/25. The service, commissioned by Lancashire County Council, provides Advocacy and Independent Visitor (IV) services for children in care and care leavers. The report indicated 184 referrals related specifically to children in care and care leavers, with common issues including living arrangements, relationships with social workers, and concerns about placement quality. The Independent Visitor service, which provides volunteer mentors, had 50 matched young people, with demand for volunteers exceeding availability. The report also mentioned the KNAPPMAN Fund, available nationally through NYAS for care leavers.

The meeting was scheduled to conclude with discussions on any other business and the date and time of the next meeting, which was to be a young people's takeover meeting on Wednesday, 22nd July 2026.