The Corporate Parent Committee of Ealing Council met on Thursday 10 September 2026 to discuss a range of important issues concerning children in care and care leavers. The meeting's agenda included updates on the Children in Care Council, the findings of a survey on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), plans for a Take Over Council Day for care leavers, and a proposed restructure of the corporate parenting service, alongside discussions on the regionalisation of fostering.

Children in Care Council (Ealing Voices in Care)

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the relaunch of Ealing Voices in Care, the council's refreshed Children in Care Council and Care Experienced Participation Framework. This initiative aims to strengthen the voice and influence of children in care and care experienced young people. The framework is designed around three age-appropriate participation groups: Bright Voices for younger children (7-11), Voices in Action for older children and young people (12-17), and the Care Leaver Collective for those aged 18-25. The report highlighted that initial engagement sessions had taken place, with young people expressing a desire to be listened to, receive quicker responses to concerns, and see senior leaders involved in participation activities. Care leavers raised concerns about HMO accommodation, safety, and mental health, emphasizing the need for tangible action resulting from their feedback. The report recommended supporting the continued development of meaningful participation and co-production opportunities, and for board members and senior leaders to increase their involvement in these activities.

HMO Survey Action Plan

A report was presented detailing an action plan in response to a survey conducted among young people living in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The survey gathered feedback on accommodation standards, safety, affordability, tenancy sustainment, and future housing aspirations. Key themes emerging from the survey included concerns regarding safety and anti-social behaviour, poor cleanliness and maintenance of communal areas, affordability pressures, limited opportunities to resolve conflicts between tenants, and uncertainty regarding future move-on options. The action plan outlined recommendations to strengthen tenancy sign-up processes, conduct comprehensive affordability assessments, develop a strategic HMO placement and matching framework, establish formal landlord partnership arrangements, and improve introductory house meetings and move-on pathways.

Care Leavers Take Over Day

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the planning and preparations for the Care Leavers Take Over Day 2026, which was set to take place on 6 November 2026. This event is part of Ealing Council's corporate parenting commitment to provide care experienced young people with opportunities to influence services, develop skills, and gain insight into the council's operations. The theme for 2026 was Leading the Way: From Experience to Empowerment. Preparations involved securing engagement from a broad range of council departments and external partners, with planned opportunities including shadowing senior leaders, participation in consultations, and involvement in strategic discussions. The report recommended promoting participation across departments and partner agencies to maximise opportunities for care experienced young people.

Corporate Parenting Restructure

An update was provided regarding the proposed restructure of the corporate parenting service. This restructure aims to align services with national reforms, including the Department for Education's (DfE) regionalisation of fostering and the national Families First Partnership Programme, as well as Ealing's local Connected Communities vision. The report indicated that a proposed full children's social care restructure had been paused due to the retirement of a key service head and a strategic policy shift towards a regional model for fostering recruitment. The new structure will need to consider the functions of the Permanence Team and Recruitment team to align with the agreed delivery model. A formal consultation with staff was pending HR approval.

Regionalisation of Fostering

The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on the move towards an end-to-end regional fostering recruitment model, as outlined in the DfE's Renewing Fostering Reforms – Homes for 10,000 More Children. Ealing has been part of the Foster with West London (FWL) hub since May 2024, which has aimed to increase the number of foster carers through regional marketing and a dedicated enquiries function. The DfE's reforms expect regional hubs to extend their responsibilities to cover the entire fostering recruitment process. While kinship care and foster carer retention responsibilities will remain at the local authority level, the regional approach is intended to improve transparency, data sharing, and alignment in offers to carers. The report noted a 45% increase in approved foster carers across the FWL region compared to pre-hub figures. The end-to-end model was scheduled to go live on 1 October 2026, with a reconfiguration of staffing being sought in light of this change.