Appendix 1 - Corporate Parenting Plan 2021-24
Perth and Kinross Council · 11 March 2024
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 11 March 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 “ ” Appendix 1 Our Promise to You Perth and Kinross Corporate Parenting Plan 21-24 Our commitment is that Perth and Kinross will be the best place for all our children and young people – especially those of us with care experience to grow up. We grow up loved, safe, and respected so that we realise our full potential. Scotland’s Ambition for our children and young people
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2 Why do we need a plan? Since 2014, public bodies across Scotland are working together as part of a flexible scaffold of support, centred around the needs of children and young people cared for by local authorities. The public bodies include Perth and Kinross Council, Tayside Health Board, Perth College, and others. Each body needs to produce a plan which sets out how they are going to support you. You can find a list of all the public bodies and links to their plans at the end of this document. Who is this plan for?
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3 Independent Care review An Independent Care Review was commissioned by the Scottish Government in 2016 to listen to those of us with experience of living and working in and around the care system to understand what needs to change. The review heard from more than 2,000 children, young people and adults who had lived in care. At the end of the review the conclusions and recommendations were identified in The Promise, under five priority areas (foundations) on which change must be built upon.
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4 Voice Children must be listened to and meaningfully and appropriately involved in decision-making about their care, with all those involved properly listening and responding to what children want and need. There must be a compassionate, caring, decision-making culture focussed on children and those they trust. Family Where children are safe in their families and feel loved they must stay – and families must be given support together to nurture that love and overcome the difficulties which get in the way. Care Where living with their family is not possible, children must stay with their brothers and sisters where safe to do so and belong to a loving home, staying there for as long as needed. People The children that Scotland cares for must be actively supported to develop relationships with people in the workforce and wider community, who in turn must be supported to listen and be compassionate in their decision-making and care. Scaffolding Children, families, and the workforce must be supported by a system that is there when it is needed. The scaffolding of help, support, and accountability must be ready and responsive when it is required. What have we done so far? Over the last three years we have made good progress through our corporate parenting plan for 2017-2021 which has built solid foundations for realising the Promise for all Perth and Kinross children. Some of our highlights:
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5 A good childhood Increased our support to kinship carers by creating a dedicated Kinship Care Team who support carers by offering practical advice and a listening ear. Changed our ways of working so that young people aged 12-18 who are on the edge of care are supported 24/7 to stay within their families, schools, and communities wherever it is safe to do so. Introduced Lifelong Links which makes it easier for you to reconnect with people from your past and build the lasting relationships we all need to thrive throughout our lives. Increased the number of foster and kinship carers and supported lodgings providers so you can live within a family for as long as you need to. Created PRAISE, a team which provides support to primary school children who need extra support with their learning. Provided you with the opportunity to take part in online tutoring and mentoring when preparing for exams. Provided additional support for young people leaving care by ensuring that all young people with care experience are prioritised for affordable homes in your area of choice and supported to make community connections. Increased levels of Independent Advocacy Support to ensure your voice is heard and listened to. Supported you through Fun Young Individuals (FYI) to create Milestones, an opportunity for you to share your experiences with staff and raise awareness of what you need to thrive. Also, the development of a workshop around “language” being used to describe young people with care experience. Created Care Experienced Education Guidance to ensure all education staff have an awareness of The Promise and know how to best support all children and young people. Created Education Guidance for children who are alone and seeking asylum, ensuring we have appropriate understanding of needs and suitable education placements. Scottish Fire and Rescue committed to prioritising a home safety check for all young people with care experience. Whole Family Support Strengthened and increased levels of family support by funding third sector to support family wellbeing and to help them stay together. Introduced Family Group Decision Making to support your family to navigate through rough waters. Developed family mentoring to support your family in your community – Barnardo’s and Tayside Council on Alcohol. Trying a new way of delivering family support through partnerships with local families and resources – Families Empowering Communities. In partnership with adult drug and alcohol services developed a test of change creating a whole family assessment and plan to meet the needs of whole families where parents are struggling with drugs or alcohol.