Elected members
As corporate parents, local authorities have a challenging role, and acting like good parents and being aware of the needs of their children and young people must be a key priority.
'Throughcare stepped in and found me supported lodgings where I was able to carry out on my studies. They supported me financially and also supported anything I did. After completing my studies and starting a job they helped me find and set up my own flat, furnishing it and also helped with all the paperwork that this involved. I’m still able to pick up a phone for advice, even though I’m not under their care anymore.
For young people who have been in the care system for long periods and may not have any other support, this is important. I know not all local authorities provide this kind of support perhaps other authorities could learn from Throughcare'
Anonymous
When a child or young person is taken into local authority care, the council is making a commitment that they will do better with the council as a corporate parent than with his or her birth parent(s).
As elected members you are responsible for making sure that the council meets all of its statutory responsibilities. The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 places specific duties on councils in relation to looked after children and young people, and care leavers (see appendix 2).
Your council will deliver services directly to children and young people and care leavers; through residential care, foster care, social work, children’s rights and advocacy, education, leisure, housing. Your council will also deliver services to families whose children are, or may become, looked after such as social work, housing or community learning. Your council will also commission services from the independent sector (voluntary or private sector). Your corporate parent responsibilities remain, wherever the child is placed.
You also play an important role as community leaders. You will often be the public face of the council, championing innovation, and particular policies; speaking up for those who find it hard to do so themselves and, at times, defending decisions. An ever-present concern for all the activities you are involved in and all the decisions you make should be, how will this impact on our looked after children and young people, or care leavers?
You will want to:
- actively seek high quality outcomes for your looked after children and young people, and care leavers and take responsibility for those outcomes.
- Remove barriers, where possible, which prevent your looked after children and young people and care leavers achieving the desired outcomes.
Downloadable resources
Read the full version of this section of the Corporate Parenting Guidance on the Scottish Government website.
Personal stories
Councillor Roderick McLeod
How an elected member, from the Orkney Islands, sees his role in providing services for looked after children and young people.