The Corporate Parenting Committee of Brent Council was scheduled to discuss updates on the council's commitment to children in care, the educational achievements of looked-after children, and the performance of 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 core promises Brent Council makes to children in its care, covering areas such as identity, involvement in decisions, stability, emotional and practical support, safety, health, education, and preparation for independence. The pledge, originally created in 2021, has been refreshed following feedback from young people in Brent Care Journeys (BCJ) Empire, the participation programme for care-experienced young people. Key changes include making the document more visually engaging, using child-centred language, and highlighting important messages. The report recommended 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 during the 2024-25 academic year. The report detailed the BVS's activities in monitoring and supporting looked-after children to achieve the best possible educational outcomes. It highlighted that 350 children and young people were on the BVS roll during the academic year. The report covered attendance rates for primary and secondary school children, noting a decrease in attendance for both groups compared to the previous year, with secondary attendance falling below national averages. It also detailed the process for monitoring and securing school placements, including support for children awaiting educational provision. The report indicated a small increase in fixed-term exclusions for children looked after, but no permanent exclusions. Progress and attainment at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4 were presented, showing improvements in some areas compared to the previous year, though the small cohort size meant individual results could significantly impact overall percentages. The report also discussed post-16 participation in education, employment, or training (EET), the support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and the specific support provided to Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC). The mental health and wellbeing of looked-after children were addressed, along with the use of Pupil Premium funding and the enrichment programme offered to young people. The report also outlined the extended duties for children with a social worker and the strategic priorities for the BVS for the 2025-26 academic year.

Fostering Service 6-monthly / End of Year Update Report

This report was scheduled to provide information on the general management of Brent's in-house fostering service and its success in achieving good outcomes for children. It was intended to cover the period from 01 October 2025 to 31 March 2026. The report detailed the service's priorities, including recruitment of new foster carers, enhancing support for foster and kinship carers, and implementing the Mockingbird Family Model. Progress on these priorities was to be discussed, noting that while recruitment had seen some success, the net gain of carers was zero in the reporting period. The report also covered staffing arrangements, placement activity, and the recruitment and assessment of new foster carers, including the use of digital marketing and the regional fostering hub, Foster with West London (FwWL). The report was to detail the fostering assessment process and the support provided by supervising social workers. It also included an update on the Kinship Care Team's activities, the functioning of the Fostering Panel, and the training and support offered to foster carers. The report was to conclude with information on monitoring, reviews, allegations, complaints, and service development, including the Kinship Charity's national recognition week and the ongoing development of Brent's first Mockingbird constellation.

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 give feedback on their recent activities.

Six-Monthly Adoption Report from Adopt London West

The committee was scheduled to receive information regarding the adoption performance, progress, and activities of Adopt London West, and the good outcomes being achieved for children.