The Corporate Parenting Board was scheduled to discuss the health assessments of children in care, the ANCHOR service for emotional and mental wellbeing, and the work plan for the coming year. The meeting also included a verbal update on the NEET Task and Finish Group.

Health Assessments for Children in Care

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on the work of the Specialist Nursing Team for Children in Care, community paediatricians, and allied health professionals in supporting the health of children in care. The report highlighted achievements and challenges, particularly concerning workforce capacity and increased workloads. Statutory duties require local authorities to ensure health assessments are carried out for every child they look after. In Worcestershire, Initial Health Assessments (IHAs) are provided by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust (HWHCT) community paediatric service, with Review Health Assessments (RHAs) provided on a yearly or twice-yearly basis. The report indicated that while the majority of children are now seen within the expected timeframe for IHAs, there have been challenges with RHAs breaching statutory timescales due to workforce issues. Despite these challenges, the team has been working to ensure health needs are identified and care plans developed. The report noted an improvement in the percentage of children with up-to-date health assessments, reaching 71%. An improvement plan for the next 3-6 months includes moving to a caseload basis for nurses, which aims to provide greater continuity and consistency for children and young people. The report also mentioned plans for care leavers aged 18-25 to receive free prescriptions, dental care, and eye care, aligning with recent government announcements. The NHS 10-year plan's aims to help children in care by expanding mental health services in schools and improving community-based care were also referenced.

ANCHOR Service

The meeting was scheduled to discuss the ANCHOR service, which provides specialist support and intervention to children in care and their carers in Worcestershire. The service focuses on the emotional health and wellbeing of looked-after children aged 0-18, offering targeted specialist attachment-focused interventions. The ANCHOR service is jointly funded and staffed by Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Children's Services. The report detailed the team's approach, which includes supporting social workers and carers, offering therapies directly to children and their carers, and running the Green Fingers Project, an outdoor site offering therapeutic activities. Feedback from a young person highlighted how the service provided space and freedom to talk and feel, leading to manageable outcomes. A carer also shared how the service provided coping strategies and support during challenging times. The report also outlined the service's outcome monitoring, with a new review form launched to capture data on carer confidence, placement stability, child emotional development, and personal goals.

Care Leavers and Care-Experienced Young People

Several documents provided information on care leavers, also referred to as care-experienced young people. These are young people aged 16-25 who have been in the care of a local authority. The briefings highlighted that this is a vulnerable population with poorer outcomes in health, education, employment, and justice. Key challenges include housing instability, mental ill-health, disrupted healthcare, and a higher risk of substance misuse. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill proposes extending corporate parenting duties to public bodies, including the NHS, to prioritise access, promote wellbeing, and embed trauma-informed practice. In Worcestershire, a Pathway Plan is provided from age 16, and a Personal Advisor (PA) is allocated at age 17 to offer support with housing, employment, benefits, and daily challenges until at least age 21, or 25 if needed. Specialist Nurses for Children in Care provide health summaries and transition support, and the Integrated Safeguarding Team supports adult clinicians.

Work Plan

The Board was asked to note its future work programme. Scheduled topics for future meetings included the CPB Annual Report, an update on improvements to life stories and transitions, housing feedback, and the annual Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) report. Future discussions were also planned on the Care Leavers Annual Report and the Youth Voice Annual Report.