The Corporate Parenting Panel was scheduled to consider a range of important matters concerning children in the care of Hull City Council. Key discussions were scheduled to include the potential recognition of care experience as a protected characteristic in Hull, alongside annual reports from various services supporting children looked after and care leavers. The panel was also scheduled to review the Hull Fostering Annual Report, the Hull Kinship Local Offer, and the work programme for the coming year.

Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic

The panel was scheduled to examine the findings from engagement with care leavers regarding the proposal to recognise care experience as a protected characteristic within Hull. This discussion was to include consideration of an accompanying Equality Impact Analysis and the local implications of adopting such an approach. The report indicated that many respondents had experienced stigma and discrimination associated with being care experienced, with clear support for recognition among those who expressed a view. However, the report also highlighted practical considerations, including the absence of national legislative recognition under the Equality Act 2010. Two options were scheduled for consideration: either strengthening the local offer and corporate parenting arrangements without pursuing local recognition at this time, or developing a proposal for the council to formally recognise care experience as a protected characteristic.

Hull Fostering Annual Report (1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026)

The panel was scheduled to consider the annual report for Hull Fostering. This report was expected to detail the service's activities and performance over the past year. Key areas likely to have been covered include foster carer recruitment and retention, the sufficiency of mainstream fostering placements, the Mockingbird programme, support for fostering children with disabilities, and arrangements for Supported Lodgings and Staying Put. The report was also scheduled to address kinship care, the Fostering Panel's work, referrals to the Independent Reviewing Mechanism, and foster carer continuous development.

Hull Kinship Local Offer

The panel was scheduled to review the Hull Kinship Local Offer, which was intended to set out the support available to children living in kinship care and the family members or friends who care for them. This document was expected to detail the principles, objectives, and standards of practice for kinship care in Hull, including information on financial support, education, emotional and therapeutic support, and housing assistance. It was also scheduled to outline the legal framework and different types of kinship care arrangements.

Hull Independent Visitors Annual Report (April 2025 – March 2026)

The annual report from the Hull Independent Visitors Service was scheduled for consideration. This service aims to recruit and train volunteers to support 'looked after' children and young people, providing them with an independent adult relationship. The report was expected to detail the number of children and young people supported, volunteer statistics, recruitment efforts, and the types of activities undertaken by independent visitors. Case studies and future plans for the service were also likely to be included.

Compliments and Complaints from Children Looked After and Care Leavers Annual Report (April 2025 to March 2026)

The panel was scheduled to review the annual report on compliments and complaints from children looked after and care leavers. This report was expected to provide an overview of feedback received, highlighting what has worked well and identifying themes from complaints. It was also scheduled to detail the timeliness and outcomes of Stage 1 complaints, learning from these experiences, and any statutory Stage 2 investigations or Independent Complaint Panel reviews. The report was likely to include demographic information and outline next steps for continuous improvement.

Independent Reviewing Service for Children Looked After Annual Report (2025/26)

The annual report from the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) Service for Children Looked After was scheduled for discussion. This report was expected to cover the role of the IRO, the profile of the service in Hull, IRO capacity, and learning and development opportunities. It was also scheduled to detail the voice and influence of children and young people, including their participation in reviews, consultations, and feedback. The report was likely to present data on children looked after, their legal status, placement types, and the timeliness and outcomes of reviews, with a focus on permanence planning and support for care leavers.

One Adoption North and Humber Annual Report (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026)

The panel was scheduled to consider the annual report from One Adoption North and Humber, the Regional Adoption Agency for the area. This report was expected to provide an overview of performance relating to children being planned for adoption, placed for adoption, and those who have achieved an Adoption Order. It was also scheduled to detail adopter recruitment, the number of approved adopters, and those with children placed. The report was likely to include information on adoption support services, national adoption trends, and the agency's links with regional voluntary adoption agencies.

Work Programme

Finally, the panel was scheduled to consider and agree its work programme for the upcoming year. This would involve reviewing planned agenda items and identifying any areas of focus for future meetings to ensure the panel's work remains relevant and addresses key priorities for corporate parenting in Hull.