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The Committee noted both reports and the observations made, for inclusion in the plan. Corporate parenting means the council's duty to care for children it looks after as a responsible parent would.
Some sentences of this summary are missing in English, because an older automatic check removed them from the English only. The Welsh version has them.
It was noted that Council, at its Annual Meeting on 28th May 2025, appointed Cllr Sarah Merry as Chair of the Committee for the 2025-2026 municipal year and the following Members to the Committee: Cllrs Chowdhury, Cowan, Ebrahim, Fergusson-Thorne, Kaaba, Lister, Littlechild and Taylor.
The Terms of Reference attached to the agenda were noted.
There were no apologies.
There were no declarations of interest.
The minutes of the 13th April meeting were approved and signed as a correct record.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
The minutes record no declarations of interest.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: To note the Quarter 1 Progress Update including the Corporate Parenting Quarterly Progress Report Quarter 1 2026-27 and note the observations and comments for inclusion in the plan.
The Committee was provided with an update on the key areas of progress against the Corporate Parenting Annual Plan made in quarter 1. The Chair welcomed Rebecca Brockway (Policy and Development Manager – Corporate Parenting) and a presentation and an update on progress made in Corporate Parenting in Quarter 1 was provided, which included: · Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2025-2026 · Corporate Parenting Annual Plan 2026-2027 · Corporate Safeguarding Self-Assessment – Corporate parenting actions · Member visit opportunities Following the presentation, the Chair opened the floor to comments and questions from the Committee. Members offered support in addressing waiting list for dentistry for CLA through their role in the Regional Partnership Board (RPB) and links made through this. Officers were grateful for this offer. Members asked about the action in the Annual Report relating to the quality assurance on EOTAS provision and the lack of narrative around why this had not progressed to completion, as well as if the Committee could provide any support with this. Officers explained that this was mainly due to capacity issues and Officers will ensure that this narrative is added to the Annual Report. RESOLVED: To note the Quarter 1 Progress Update including the Corporate Parenting Quarterly Progress Report Quarter 1 2026-27 and note the observations and comments for inclusion in the plan.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: To note the Priority 1 and 2 Progress report and note the observations and comments for inclusion in the plan.
The Committee was provided with an update on activities that fall under priority 1 and 2 of the Corporate Parenting Annual Plan 2026-27. The Chair welcomed Jade Williams (Corporate Parenting Team) who provided an update on: Priority 1 - Improving Emotional Health and Wellbeing - Partnership working to improve access to healthcare for children looked after. Following the presentation, the Chair opened the floor to comments and questions from the Committee. Members asked whether the 12 months noted to explore the Speech and Language pathway would be when an update would be provided or whether something might be fed back at the 6-month point. Officers explained that the Standard Operating Procedures are currently being drafted and more will be known when they meet with the Health Board at the end of June, but it will be added to the action tracker and updates will be provided. Members asked about how we could hold the Health Board to account when it is a statutory responsibility in this area and they have signed up as a Corporate Parent. A member of the Health Board has not attended a meeting for some time, and it would be worth following up on invites for future meetings and suggested approaching the Leader of the Council to include this in meeting they have with the Health Board. Officers explained that a representative from the Health Board was invited to this meeting, but they had a clash in appointments so could not attend and explained that the Corporate Praenting Annual Plan 2026-27 includes specific actions relating to health and Health Board members are now attending the Corporate Parenting delivery group, so actions can be tracked and monitored. Additionally, officers hope to include health data as part of continuous improvement of the corporate parenting data dashboard. Members asked whether this was just a Welsh issue due to the devolved nature of Health in Wales or whether there are any examples of models which are working well elsewhere. Officers will look into best practice amongst other local authorities in this area. Officers explained that conversations with the Health Board tend to focus on emotional wellbeing but are happy to discuss specifics such and GP’s and Dentistry too. The change being hoped for is that as Health attended the Partnership Event, links have now been made with the right people and the focus is on getting the basics rights and building partnership work with the health board as outlined in the Annual Plan.. The Chair then welcomed Olwen Evans (Emtas)who provided an update on: Priority 2 - Better connections and improved relationships. A Presentation was provided on Supporting our Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC). Following the presentation, the Chair opened the floor to comments and questions from the Committee. Members asked who is legally responsible for the children in this cohort who are under 18 years old, and whether schools and colleges can refuse a full-time offer. Officers explained that once they are over 16 years old, there is no statutory requirement for a full-time education offer, and that if the child is under 18 but over 16 years old, they assign themselves into care under section 76 and are supported to make their own decisions. Members asked about the sustainability of the grant funding from Welsh Government in this area of work and whether this was at risk. Officers explained that they are not overly concerned as this has been in place for 25 years, although there are competing demands within the directorate for the funding andthere was a 3% reduction this year. Members asked whether those UASC who required access to mental health support were able to access this, and Officers explained that they now have closer links with Health and local advocacy groups, making healthcare more accessible. There is a specific Hub for UASC to attend to access health services, but access to dentisty has been raised as a challenge for UASC also. Enfys also provides mental health and psychology support for all children looked after and is available for UASC. The Chair then welcomed Laura Williams (Youth Service)and Dayle Luce (Youth Service) who provided an update on: Priority 2 - Better connections and improved relationships. A Presentation was provided on Youth Service Provision for Children Looked After. Following the presentation, the Chair opened the floor to comments and questions from the Committee. Members asked whether there was any reason that all the case studies shown were males and whether there were any female case studies. Officers confirmed that the case studies shared were from young people willing to share at the time and not due to more males accessing support. RESOLVED: To note the Priority 1 and 2 Progress report and note the observations and comments for inclusion in the plan.
There were no urgent items. The Chair wished Deborah Williams the best of luck for her retirement at the end of this term.
Monday 21st September 2026 at 3pm.
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