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Reform of Corporate Parenting

Is this devolved to Wales?

Where is this happening?

What's happening?

Why is this happening?

Who has been affected?

What's happening?

Why is this happening?

Who has been affected?

Charts (if needed)

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£ 00 million Total

Cheese
Explanation
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Who has raised this at the Senedd?

Delyth Jewell MS

Deputy Minister for Social Care

Beca Brown MS

Backbencher

Sarah Rees MS

Backbencher

Sarah Cooper-Lesadd MS

Backbencher

Nigel Williams MS

Backbencher

Lynne Neagle MS

Labour Whip

Sam Rowlands MS

Chair: Finance

Jane Dodds MS

Backbencher

Delyth Jewell MS

Deputy Minister for Social Care

Beca Brown MS

Backbencher

Sarah Rees MS

Backbencher

Sarah Cooper-Lesadd MS

Backbencher

Nigel Williams MS

Backbencher

Lynne Neagle MS

Labour Whip

Sam Rowlands MS

Chair: Finance

Jane Dodds MS

Backbencher

What are the party positions on this?

Plaid Cymru backbenchers support the principle of extending corporate parenting duties, but were sceptical as to whether this proposal (tabled by a Reform MS) would apply to all looked-after children – particularly unaccompanied asylum-seekers.

A young person does not stop needing support simply because they reach a particular birthday. The transition to adulthood is challenging for any young person, but for those who have experienced the care system, that transition often comes with additional pressures and without the family networks that many of their peers rely upon. We can see the consequences of that reflected in the evidence. Around one in four adults in prison in Wales has a care background, and research has found that, by the age of 24, around 15 per cent of people who have been in care have received a custodial sentence, compared with just 1 per cent of those who have not.

Hopefully, we can all agree that corporate parenting is one of the most important responsibilities that we hold for every child in our care. This does include unaccompanied asylum-seeking children...So, I'd be very grateful if you (Sarah Cooper-Lesadd) could clarify if the needs of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children do fit into your proposed Bill.

Local authorities are already under a statutory corporate parenting duty. This achieves absolutely nothing for a young person failed by the NHS. The Government cannot expand the scope of this code; only primary legislation passed by this Senedd can. And I hope no-one offers me yet another review, because, in 2023, the Senedd's own committee looked at exactly this, and asked a question titled, 'If not now, then when?' Three years on, we are still answering 'not yet'. The legal reality is clear: the most robust mechanism is an Act of the Senedd, one that either imposes duties directly or requires Ministers to bring regulations that we can subsequently shape together (statement made as a Reform UK MS).

Sarah Cooper-Lesadd MS (at the time a Reform UK MS) tabled the motion supporting a proposed Member’s Bill.

....this is not just about structures, it's about culture—a culture that listens to children, a culture that understands trauma and a culture that does not wait for perfect evidence before stepping in to protect a child. Because behind every policy is a child, a child who is either heard or ignored, a child who is either believed or dismissed, a child who is either protected or left to face harm alone. When we get that wrong, the consequences can last a lifetime, as I know.

Labour supports the principle of extending corporate parenting duties. They criticised how the existing system operates.

We do have voluntary charters, but for me, on something so fundamental as the responsibilities we all have to care-experienced children, voluntary is not good enough. All local authorities and health boards have signed up, but if you look for any information on what they've committed to as part of their charters, it is very hard to find. It is not published, and I certainly couldn't find the information for my own health board.

The Conservatives support the principle of extending corporate parenting duties, but want it to be properly resourced instead of placing more duties on stretched public bodies.

If stronger corporate parenting responsibilities across public bodies are helping those children in England, then why should we expect anything less for children here in Wales? I absolutely support the principle that every part of the public sector should play its part in improving outcomes for looked-after children and care leavers. I think it's the very least that people would expect.

....there's also a conversation needed around the implementation of this as well. Because we know public services are stretched at the moment, and it's essential that any new duties are backed by resources, workforce capacity and clear guidance to make it meaningful in practice as well. So, I'd be interested to hear the Government's views on that. Because we cannot simply place new statutory responsibilities on already stretched services and expect better outcomes without giving them the tools to succeed.

Green MSs haven’t said anything on this yet, but didn’t object to the Member’s Bill proposal.

Test Test Test

Jane Dodds supported the proposed law, but also called for a dedicated children’s minister.

I totally support this Bill. Let us just be clear, though, in passing this Bill, it does not require the Government to adopt it, which is a travesty and a tragedy.... We've called for a Minister specifically for babies, children and young people, and that is what our babies, children and young people here in Wales deserve. So, I hope the Welsh Government will take this back and create another Cabinet role, at a very senior level, for that brief specifically.

Who is responsible?

Delyth Jewell MS

Deputy Minister for Social Care

What have ministers said?

I have an open mind about what happens in this space.... Legislation is clearly an important lever. I'm absolutely willing to consider that option....I see it as right versus right. Because there are very positive aspects to the Welsh setup we have too, which we wouldn't want to lose no matter what happens in the future. Its being voluntary gives it more flexibility, able to encourage innovation, creativity and true buy-in to the concept, rather than simply being an obligation, without organisations possibly truly doing more than the statutory minimum.

....yes, signing the (corporate parenting) charter is voluntary, and we do need to look at this. But every organisation that does sign it is asked to pledge what they will offer....Cardiff Council....recently held an event on corporate parenting specifically to demonstrate the work being done there. Premier Forest Products—the first private sector company to sign the charter—supports individuals through work placements that provide support from mentors as well as educational support to move forward successfully into employment. And Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has pledged to provide a health team specifically focused on care-experienced individuals.

What's being done about this?

What do the Welsh Government want to do?

Does this need a new law or regulations?

How long will this take?

What do the Welsh Government want to do?

Does this need a new law or regulations?

How long will this take?

What have the Senedd's Committees said?

Nothing has been discussed yet.

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