The Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee reviewed progress on its annual plan for the past year and discussed the plan for the upcoming year. The committee also received updates on emerging areas of work related to supporting children in care.

Q4 Progress Update

The committee received an update on the key areas of progress against the Corporate Parenting Annual Plan for Quarter 4 and the end-of-year status of actions. Rebecca Brockway, Policy and Development Manager – Corporate Parenting, provided a presentation on the progress made.

A key discussion point was the availability of data on housing plans for looked-after children aged 15.5 years. Officers explained that this data had not been captured until recently, as young people were referred to the Young Persons Gateway at age 16. If a young person was not ready for independent accommodation at 16, the referral was closed, making data collection complicated. A new pathway from 15.5 years onwards is now in place, with transition plans expected to improve data availability going forward.

Members also questioned whether the 60% prevention rate target differed from the wider service target, with officers promising to check and provide feedback at the next meeting. Concerns were raised about predicting housing needs and future planning, with officers explaining that work is underway with housing teams to establish what is available for those with complex needs. While basic data exists, it requires further development to capture all needs.

The committee also discussed the Corporate Parenting Advisory Group, with officers explaining that they are researching best practices and aiming for young people to lead the group to ensure it is not tokenistic. The idea of recruiting part-time, care-experienced young people to run the groups is being considered, with a deliberate approach being taken to ensure its effectiveness.

Regarding the Mentoring Scheme, officers confirmed they are working with all directorates and providing practical examples of how the scheme can be implemented. Members expressed their pleasure at attending the Bright Sparks Awards and learning how young people were empowered to create the event, congratulating officers and young people on the effective use of real-life experiences in videos. Appreciation was requested to be passed on to the officers involved.

The ambition for no child looked after to be permanently excluded was also discussed. Officers explained this involves working collaboratively to find the best solutions, as exclusion rates can be higher in this group. They clarified that this is not a formal policy but a case-by-case approach, aligning with Welsh Government guidance that schools should exhaust all alternatives before permanent exclusion. The committee requested copies of relevant Council policies and Welsh Government guidance, which officers agreed to provide. It was noted that serious criminal acts would lead to referral to the Youth Justice Team.

Discussions also covered the Cardiff Commitment's work with business partners to promote the Working Partnership Network and corporate parenting awareness. The strategy includes targeting specific life transitions for children, such as moving from primary to secondary school, and offering workshops and support packages. The initial plan is to test this targeted approach to enhance support for looked-after children. Members suggested approaching financial institutions for support with lower interest rates and deposits for looked-after children seeking to buy their first homes, and officers indicated they are developing these relationships.

Finally, the committee heard that research has been conducted on the health services that looked-after and care-experienced young people struggle to access, with plans to further develop partnerships in the 2026/2027 action plan. The committee resolved to note the Q4 Progress Update and the end-of-year status of actions.

Corporate Parenting Annual and Forward Plan

The committee was presented with the Corporate Parenting Annual Plan for 2026-2027 and core documentation. Rebecca Brockway, Policy and Development Manager – Corporate Parenting, delivered a presentation on the plan. Following the presentation, there were no further comments or questions from the committee. The committee resolved to note the Corporate Parenting Annual and Forward Plan 2026-2027 and core documentation.

Update on Emerging Areas of Work

Jade Williams, Senior Policy Officer – Corporate Parenting, provided an update on emerging areas of work. Members suggested learning from the Social Services and Wellbeing Act regarding carer assessments for the implementation of Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic, which officers agreed to investigate.

The use of buses for social connections and the potential for a reconditioned bike scheme for looked-after children were also discussed, with officers agreeing to look into these possibilities. A suggestion was made to adopt a model similar to the Children and Young People's Scrutiny Committee, which includes a Youth Representative, to incorporate young people's voices. Officers welcomed this idea and plan to take it forward, potentially by buddying up with a Bright Sparks representative.

The committee reflected on research by Becomes regarding how young people define success and how this could be used when seeking feedback from looked-after children. Officers agreed to explore this in relation to the data dashboard and annual plan. The committee resolved to note the content of the update and presentation.