The Corporate Parenting Board is scheduled to consider its annual report, which will detail the board's activities and achievements over the past year. The board will also receive updates on life story work for children in care, and the progress of a task and finish group focused on young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET).

Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report

The board is set to review its annual report for 2025-2026. This report is expected to outline the board's priorities and achievements, including efforts to reaffirm corporate parenting pledges, prioritise the voice of children and young people, and focus on actionable outcomes. The report is anticipated to highlight progress in areas such as increasing mainstream foster homes and improving the operational effectiveness of the Corporate Parenting Board. It is also expected to mention the ongoing impact of potential Local Government Reorganisation on the council's operations.

Life Story Work

A report will be presented on the progress of Life Story Work, which aims to help children understand their personal histories. The report is expected to detail the current status of this work, noting that while Ofsted inspections have recognised the high quality of life story work where it is undertaken, a significant number of children in care do not yet have this recorded. The report is likely to highlight that children in stable foster care placements and those who have been in care longer are more likely to have this work completed, while those in residential care or earlier in their care journey are less likely to benefit. The report is expected to outline steps to strengthen management oversight and ensure earlier completion and improved recording of life story work for all children.

NEET Task and Finish Group Report

An update is scheduled regarding the work of the NEET Task and Finish Group. This group has been focusing on the effectiveness of the NEET Strategy, with a particular emphasis on areas where it has been less successful. The group has reportedly met with key officers and visited the Careers Hub at The Hive, Worcester. The report is expected to include recommendations being considered by the group, such as improving the timeliness of discussions with young people about accommodation, increasing the availability of short courses, providing dedicated key workers for care leavers, and encouraging employers to accept care leavers. The group's recommendations will be presented to the board upon completion of its work.

Work Plan

The board will also consider its future work plan. This includes scheduled topics for upcoming meetings, such as the annual Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) report, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) matters, post-25 care leaver support, and the Care Leavers Annual Report. The board will have the opportunity to suggest any additional items for inclusion in the work plan.