The Corporate Parenting Committee convened to discuss performance, statements of purpose, and panel reports related to fostering and adoption services. The committee reviewed the performance report for corporate parenting, the adoption and fostering statements of purpose, and the fostering and adoption panel report, aiming to ensure the well-being and safety of children in care. The committee also noted an update from Thurrock Young Voices.

Performance Report - Corporate Parenting

The committee reviewed the Performance Report - Corporate Parenting, which provided an overview of Children's Social Care performance, demand indicators for Children Looked After, care leavers, benchmarking data, and key performance indicators. The report indicated that the number of children looked after in Thurrock remained stable, with 272 children in care at the end of June 2025, a slight decrease from 277 in April 2025. The rate of Children Looked After was 60 per 10,000 children, below the statistical neighbour average of 62 and the England average of 70.

The report also noted that the number of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) in care was 30, below Thurrock's National Transfer Scheme (NTS) allocation of 45.

Other key points from the report:

• In Q1 2025-26, 20 children entered care, and 24 children ceased to be looked after.
• The gender breakdown for males in care was slightly above statistical neighbours and England averages, reflecting the higher percentage of UASC, who are predominantly male.
• Most children became Looked After because of abuse or neglect.
• There were 130 missing episodes started, representing 33 individual children.
• 93.8% of children were offered a return to home interview, and 88.4% accepted and received an interview.
• An average of 97.2% of social worker visits were completed on time.
• 56% of health referral paperwork was completed in time for Initial Health Assessments (IHAs).
• The average Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) score was 14.6, in line with statistical neighbour and national benchmarks.
• The average time between a child entering care and moving in with an adoptive family was 369 days, below the national average.
• 72% of Children Looked After were placed within 20 miles of their homes.
• 272 care leavers were being supported and receiving an Aftercare service.
• 48% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 were in education, employment, or training.
• 96.7% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 were in suitable accommodation.
• 99.4% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 were in touch with the authorities.

The committee scrutinised the performance data and challenged the service and relevant partners on how, as corporate parents, they are ambitious for children and young people, provide appropriate services, keep children and young people safe, and promote good outcomes.

Adoption Statement of Purpose

The committee reviewed Thurrock's Adoption Statement of Purpose, noting that it reflects the Adopt East Regional Adoption Alliance and is consistent with regional partners. The Adoption Statement of Purpose fulfils the requirement of Standard 17 and 18 of the Adoption Minimum Standards (Care Standards Act 2000) and Regulation 2 of the Local Authority Adoption Services (England) Regulations 2003.

The Adoption Statement of Purpose sets out the principles, values, aims, and objectives of Thurrock Council Adoption Agency, including information about the service and how it is monitored and operates to benefit children. The overarching aim is to provide secure and loving homes to children in need of permanence via adoption and to support those children and their families as long as needed.

Fostering Statement of Purpose

The committee reviewed Thurrock's Fostering Statement of Purpose, which complies with the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Fostering Minimum Standards (2011), and the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010. The Fostering Statement of Purpose sets out the aims and objectives of the service, which is committed to providing the highest standard of care for children.

The Fostering Service consists of the Recruitment and Assessment Team, the Placement Assessment Team, the Fostering Support Team, and the Placements Team. The service aims to provide a range of foster homes to meet the diverse needs of children and young people looked after by Thurrock, ensuring they are suitably matched with trained, skilled, and well-supported foster carers.

Fostering and Adoption Panel Report

The committee reviewed Thurrock's Fostering and Adoption Panel Report, which provided an update on the panel's annual activity and performance. The report covered the period from April 2024 to March 2025.

The panel's roles include considering applications for approval as foster carers and prospective adopters, reviewing the suitability of foster carers, and considering the matching of children with approved adopters. The panel operates independently, making recommendations to Thurrock Council, which has the legal duty to make the actual decision.

Key points from the report:

• The panel considered 8 applications to be approved as prospective adopters and 2 applications for early permanent carers.
• The panel considered 6 proposals for matching, for 6 children placed individually.
• The panel considered 4 applications for general fostering and 15 applications for kinship carers.
• The panel considered 30 reviews of foster carers.

The report also noted that the panel is determined to maintain a diverse membership that is representative of the local community and is keen to strengthen its commitment to listening to the voice of the child.

Thurrock Young Voices

The committee received an update from Thurrock Young Voices¹, which included information on their goals for 2025, power of participation workshops, children in care group, care leaver forum, regional activity day, young inspectors, after care information fair and food event, twilight session at Grangewaters², and group for care experienced young parents. The committee resolved to note the update from Thurrock Young Voices.

Work Programme

The committee considered the work programme for 2025/2026, which includes topics such as performance reports, Thurrock Young Voices, adoption statements of purpose, fostering statements of purpose, fostering and adoption panel reports, annual reports of the virtual school, mental health, children's social care performance, and children looked after health reports.