Recommendation:

The Executive is asked to recommend to County Council that the refreshed “Children in Care and Care Leavers Strategy - We care because you matter’ be formally approved

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director – Children and Young People’s Service on the ‘We Care Because You Matter’ strategy refresh.

County Councillor Janet Sanderson introduced the report, explaining the Children and Social Work Act 2017 defined in law the responsibility of corporate parents to ensure, as far as possible, secure, nurturing and positive experiences for looked-after children, young people and care leavers.

In 2018, the Children in Care and Care Leavers strategy, known as ‘We Care Because You Matter’ was agreed by the County Council. An updated and refreshed strategy in line with changes made since then has now been brought to the Executive for approval. The updated strategy outlines the commitment to working with families and ensuring that children are connected, and sets out the ‘Safe’ strategic priorities implemented in North Yorkshire. The new strategy also sets out the changes that have taken place in regard to the National Transfer Scheme and the Mockingbird scheme in North Yorkshire since 2018. It was felt that there would be clear opportunities after LGR to do a full review of the strategy, but this refresh was a very worthwhile piece of work.

County Councillor David Chance commended the report and felt it was a positive refresh of the strategy document.

County Councillor Simon Myers agreed and highlighted the innovative steps undertaken in North Yorkshire by the County Council to continue offering services for care leavers beyond the age of 25, with other local authorities now following this approach. He also noted the positive feedback in section 4.1 of the report from the children and young people involved on the work undertaken in this area.

County Councillor Annabel Wilkinson echoed the views of other County Councillors and noted the care leavers that have gone on to work for the County Council through apprenticeships and scholarships.

Resolved – That it be recommended to County Council that:

The refreshed ‘Children in Care and Care Leavers Strategy - We Care Because You Matter’ be formally approved.