Corporate parenting strategy

We are committed to meeting the needs of Leicester’s looked after children. It is our responsibility to ensure they get the best experiences in life.

This requires excellent parenting which promotes good health and educational attainment to a wide range of opportunities to develop their talents and skills.

What is corporate parenting?

Corporate Parenting refers to the partnerships between the local authority departments, services and associated agencies who are collectively responsible for meeting the needs of looked after children, young people and care leavers. Local authorities should care about children in their care, not just for them. Through good practice they can offer the same standards of support as any reasonable parent.

Our principles

• Full participation, involvement and contribution of looked after children, young people and care leavers up to the age of 25
• Ownership and leadership at a senior level, including elected members. Councillors and officers must have a clear understanding and awareness of the issues for looked after children and care leavers so that they can ensure that their responsibilities as corporate parents are reflected in all aspects of the work of the council.
• All services have mechanisms in place to continually monitor and review the contribution they make to looked after children and care leavers
• The strategy is promoted across the council at all levels
• Measurable commitment through the improvement in life chances of looked after children and care leavers.  These outcomes are reported to and quality assured by the Corporate Parenting Forum and Children in Care Council.