The Corporate Parenting Committee of Southwark Council met on Tuesday 16 April 2024 to discuss updates on key programmes and the committee's work plan. Decisions were made regarding the Lifelong Links programme and the Southwark Homes for Southwark Children programme, and the committee reviewed its work plan for the upcoming year.

Speakerbox Verbal Update

The committee received a verbal update from Speakerbox, a group representing looked-after children and care leavers. Speakerbox reported a 55% increase in engagement compared to the previous year, with young people participating in various activities including delivering training, co-facilitating events, and contributing to a cookbook for care-experienced individuals. The LEAP leadership programme was highlighted, with young people attending a residential phase to develop leadership skills, build relationships, and boost confidence. A theatre production, The Big Theatre Production, in partnership with London Bubble Theatre and Southwark Stands Together against Racism, was also mentioned, involving 10 young people.

Positive outcomes for young people participating in Speakerbox activities included developing new skills, feeling heard through advocacy, gaining confidence in public speaking, and improving their understanding of their rights and emotional well-being. For 2024-25, Speakerbox aims to rebrand and develop its website, attend a residential programme, engage in campaigning, work with human resources on a youth recruitment development programme, and launch a podcast led by care leavers.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about the mental health pressures faced by young people, particularly from social media. The importance of positive role models and activities that build resilience was emphasised, with older Speakerbox members supporting younger ones. Consistency and trust-building were also highlighted. A young person from Speakerbox suggested that the council, as a corporate parent, should offer care leavers a default job position, drawing a parallel to how parents might offer their children employment in family businesses. The committee noted that discussions with human resources regarding employment and training opportunities for young people and care leavers would continue. The issue of a venue for the annual care celebration was also raised, and Councillor Jasmine Ali agreed to discuss the possibility of using Mountview with the council's director of planning and growth.

Lifelong Links Implementation

The committee noted the Lifelong Links programme and its implementation for children in the care of the council and care leavers. This programme is part of the Department for Education's (DfE) family finding, befriending, and mentoring initiatives. The Lifelong Links programme aims to help children in care and care leavers develop positive networks that can offer support throughout their lives. The report highlighted that Southwark Council was successful in securing DfE funding to deliver this programme. A Lifelong Links Team is being created, and recruitment for key roles is in progress. Thirteen referrals for Lifelong Links intervention have been received, with a high acceptance rate. The programme also aims to maximise opportunities for people with lived experience of social work to be involved in its implementation and delivery. The report referenced the Children Act (1989) and the government's 'stable homes, built on love' strategy, both of which underscore the importance of connecting children in care and care leavers with supportive relationships.

Southwark Homes for Southwark Children Programme Update

An update was provided on the Southwark Homes for Southwark Children (SHfSC) programme, which aims to improve services for children in care, care leavers, foster carers, and children on the edge of care. The programme is designed to deliver on the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2021-2024, focusing on increasing in-borough placement capacity and improving the quality of care experienced by children and young people.

Key developments include progress on opening two in-house children's homes. The first home, funded by a £2 million DfE capital grant and council match funding, is nearing completion, with handover expected by the end of April 2024 and children moving in by August 2024. This home is designed to be state-of-the-art and carbon-neutral. The second home, also supported by DfE funding, is in the detailed design phase, with construction expected to be completed by Summer 2025.

In foster carer recruitment, the council is addressing a national trend of declining numbers of foster carers, with over 53% of current carers in Southwark over 60. The council has re-evaluated its recruitment strategy, using modern marketing channels and co-producing promotional materials with children and carers. A dedicated role in Corporate Communications has been established for carer recruitment, and an end-to-end analysis of the recruitment and assessment process is underway.

To improve foster carer retention and the models of care, Southwark will pilot the Mockingbird Model, an evidence-based approach providing peer support and respite for carers. The council is also exploring investment in enhancing carers' properties.

The report also detailed the modernisation and reform of the Access to Resources Team (ART), the council's placements service. This includes enhancing the ART structure and implementing a stronger quality-led approach to relationships with placement providers. A Young Inspectors Programme will be introduced, training care-experienced young people to inspect and make recommendations about placements and providers. The committee resolved to note the update on the SHfSC programme and provide comments on its progress. The quality assurance report requested by the cabinet will also be submitted to the committee.

Corporate Parenting Committee Work Plan 2024-25

The committee reviewed and agreed on its work plan for 2024-25. The role and functions of the Corporate Parenting Committee were outlined, including securing improvements in the life chances of looked-after children, developing and monitoring the corporate parenting strategy, and ensuring that the views of looked-after children and young people are heard and acted upon. The national and local context for care leavers was also discussed, highlighting the council's ambition to provide the best possible leaving care service, co-designed with young people. The work plan includes regular updates from Speakerbox, reports on the Southwark Homes programme, and discussions on the Lifelong Links programme, among other items. The committee agreed to consider further items for the work plan at future meetings.