The Children, Young Persons & Education Scrutiny Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Monday 12 January 2026 to discuss the Corporate Parenting Strategy, the Care Experienced Pledge, the Housing Pathway for Care Leavers, and the Education, Employment, and Training (EET) of care-experienced young adults. Key decisions included noting progress on the Housing Pathway, endorsing its continued development, and recommending regular reporting on the Corporate Parenting Strategy. The committee also advocated for expanded work experience opportunities for care leavers and supported further development of supported accommodation options.

Corporate Parenting Strategy

The committee reviewed the draft Corporate Parenting Strategy, which aims to ensure that children in care and care-experienced young people receive the same love, support, and opportunities as the council's own children. The strategy is built around four key pillars: Belonging and Resilience, Health and Well-being, Support to Fulfil Potential, and Feeling Safe and Secure. Councillors expressed support for the terminology of extra parents and the inclusion of strategic partners like Northamptonshire Police. They also sought assurances that clear measures and performance indicators would be in place to track the strategy's implementation and success. Discussions also touched upon the potential for a unified corporate parenting board across North and West Northamptonshire to harmonise services. Young people with care experience and colleagues from Northamptonshire Children's Trust shared their perspectives on how the strategy could be further developed through their direct involvement.

The committee resolved to note the contents of the report and recommended that regular (at least annual) reporting on progress against the strategy, including updates from the Corporate Parenting Board, be provided to the Scrutiny Committee.

Care Experienced Pledge

Colin Foster, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Children's Trust, presented the Care Experienced Pledge, a new initiative designed to offer greater support and opportunities for care-experienced young people. The pledge encourages local businesses, organisations, and communities to contribute through various means, including offering work experience, apprenticeships, employment, practical support like donations for setting up homes, sharing skills through mentorship, and promoting well-being through leisure activities. Young people with care experience shared their personal experiences, highlighting challenges faced in employment, skill development, and housing. The committee expressed their support for the initiative and discussed how elected members could contribute and promote it within their communities.

North Northamptonshire Housing Pathway for Care Leavers

Representatives from Northamptonshire Children's Trust provided an overview of the Housing Pathway for Care Leavers, detailing progress, challenges, and planned improvements. Stable housing was identified as critical for care leavers transitioning to independence. The report highlighted that 10 care leavers had been rehoused via Keyways under the Joint Housing Protocol (JHP), and collaboration between Housing Solutions and the Leaving Care Team had improved. However, challenges remain, including delays and refusals in bidding for properties and the use of temporary accommodation, with an average stay of 129 days for a small number of care leavers. Planned improvements include consulting on increasing priority for care leavers in the Housing Allocations Scheme (HAS), introducing autobid functionality, and developing a broader portfolio of suitable accommodation options, such as flats within a proposed Leaving Care Hub in the North. Discussions also covered the procurement of housing assets and the utilisation of the council's housing allocation policy.

The committee resolved to note the progress made in implementing the Housing Pathway, endorse its continued development, including proposed changes to the Housing Allocations Scheme, and support the ongoing review of the JHP and further development of supported accommodation options and tenancy sustainment support.

Care Experienced Young Adults in Education, Employment and Training (EET)

The committee received a report outlining the Education, Employment, and Training (EET) status of care-experienced young adults. Data indicated that out of 354 care leavers aged 17-24, 158 were not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET). The report highlighted a consistent growth in the number of care leavers over the past two years, with an average increase of four per month. Targeted interventions are in place, including support from the virtual school, college partnerships, Shaw Trust drop-ins, and DWP Single Points of Contact. A NEET to EET Forum has seen 35 referrals since March 2025, resulting in 14 young people securing employment, four entering college, and others engaging in training, volunteering, or counselling. Partnership successes include work experience and employment pathways developed with the NHS, Waitrose, and local councils, alongside apprenticeship schemes ringfenced for care leavers. Challenges include rising national NEET levels and barriers related to health, custody, and emotional well-being.

The committee resolved to note the report's content, acknowledging progress and remaining challenges. They also resolved to understand and monitor rising NEET levels nationally and their disproportionate impact on care-experienced young people. Furthermore, they will advocate for the expansion of work experience for care leavers, strengthen partnerships with private organisations, and consider how scrutiny members can facilitate pilot projects for young people, including employability workshops and support for clothing and travel. The committee also requested regular updates on NEET/ETE performance and strategic developments to ensure oversight and accountability, and requested officers to continue exploring and advocating for additional opportunities to enhance the authority's contribution to the Care Experienced Pledge.