The Corporate Parenting Committee of Brent Council was scheduled to discuss updates on the Brent Pledge for Children in Care, the annual report from the Brent Virtual School, and a six-monthly report on the Fostering Service. The meeting was also set to include feedback from representatives of Brent Care Journeys 2.0.

The Brent Pledge to Children in Care

The committee was scheduled to receive information on the updated Brent Pledge for Children in Care. This pledge outlines the council's commitments to children and young people in their care, covering areas such as identity, decision-making, stability, support, safety, health, education, and preparation for independence. The report indicated that the pledge had been refreshed following consultation with young people in care, with a focus on making the document more accessible and visually engaging. Recommendations were to be made for the approval of the proposed changes to the Brent Pledge and the co-production of an additional companion guide.

Annual Report from Brent Virtual School for Children in Care 2024-25

The committee was scheduled to be informed about the work undertaken by the Brent Virtual School (BVS) and the educational results for Looked After Children (LAC) during the 2024-25 academic year. The report was expected to detail the BVS's activities in monitoring and supporting LAC to achieve their best educational outcomes. Key areas covered were attendance, school placements, exclusions, progress and attainment at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4, post-16 participation, support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and the cohort of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC). The report also highlighted the role of Personal Education Plans (PEPs), mental health and wellbeing support, Pupil Premium spend, and the enrichment programme. Strategic priorities for 2025-26 were also to be outlined, including strengthening oversight of attendance and inclusion, improving post-16 participation, embedding the Family Business Model, aligning with national policy developments, and enhancing support for LAC with SEND.

Fostering Service 6-monthly / End of Year Update Report

This report was scheduled to provide information on the general management of the in-house fostering service and its progress in achieving good outcomes for children. It was to include data on the service's performance and activities, as well as updates on the Fostering Panel and planned initiatives. The report was expected to cover service priorities such as recruitment and retention of foster carers, enhancement of the support offer, the implementation of the Mockingbird Family Model, and improving outcomes for children in care through local placements. Staffing arrangements, placement activity, recruitment and assessment of new foster carers, and support from supervising social workers were also to be detailed. The report was also to provide an update on the Kinship Care Team, the Fostering Panel's activities, and training and support for foster carers.

Update from Brent Care Journeys 2.0 (BCJ 2.0) Representatives

This agenda item was scheduled to provide an opportunity for members of Brent Care Journeys 2.0 (BCJ 2.0), the council's Children in Care Council, to provide feedback on their recent activities.