West Sussex County Council’s Corporate Parenting Panel has just completed a successful first year of action promoting the interests of the Council’s Looked After Children.

It was set up to ensure the Council provides the correct level of support to Looked After Children, just as would be expected by natural parents helping young people with the challenges they face throughout their childhood.

The Panel has a responsibility on behalf of the Council for taking an active interest in the development needs and improving the life chances of Looked After Children. It works together with officers and young people to have oversight of the services provided, and looks into any issues raised by the Children in Care Council.

Chairman David Simmons said: “We have made considerable progress this year with a pledge to our young people agreed on what we will do for them as a Council, and greater overview of the service schools provide to Looked After Children and their educational achievement.

“Individual members of the Panel have also taken on specific lead roles to ensure that our service to young people is of the highest quality, for example in relation to their health needs.”

National Corporate Parenting Week takes place this year from Monday June 26 to Sunday July 1. It’s a chance to promote and show the importance of the work that councils do in looking after children and young people in care.

Cabinet Member for Children and Families Peter Evans said: “Children and young people in care often don’t have the benefit of strong support networks that others have through family and friends. As corporate parents, we need to listen to our children and young people in care, watch over them and help them realise their full potential.”

Members have also spent time over the past year exploring services to children, including visiting local offices, talking to managers and staff, as well as meeting looked after children and young people.

Achievements over the past year include influencing the appointment of a Designated Doctor for Looked After Children, and a real improvement in the educational opportunities for young people in care.

The Panel is now starting its second year of work and has identified its priorities as seeking further improvements in the education of looked after children and young people, their health, and the safety and stability of where they live. The Panel will continue to improve the involvement of all elected Members in the Corporate Parenting agenda.