Hampshire County Council
Councillors:
78
Wards:
76
Committees:
49
Meetings (2026):
57
Meetings (2025):
155
Meeting
Corporate Parenting Board - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 4th June 2025
10:00 AM
Wednesday, 4th June 2025
10:00 AM
End:
Wednesday, 4th June 2025
2:00 PM
Wednesday, 4th June 2025
2:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
04 Jun 2025
04 Jun 2025
Location:
Ashburton Hall, EII Court, Winchester
Ashburton Hall, EII Court, Winchester
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Katy Hutchings
Care Experienced Adults Council Representative
Absent
Committee Member
Orlanda Cooper
Hampshire's Foster Carers
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Jodie Beckham
Care Experienced Adults Council Representative
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Conservative Deputy
Conservative Group Vacancy
Not required
Agenda
1
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies had been received from Councillors Burton, Henderson, Irish and Mummalaneni.
2
Declarations of Interest
All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.
Minutes
Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.
No declarations were made.
No declarations were made.
3
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
To agree the minutes of the previous meeting.
Attachments:
- Document Printed minutes 26022025 1430 Corporate Parenting Board 27 May 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
4
Deputations
To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.
Minutes
No deputations were received.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
The Chairman welcomed Hollie Ryan from Motiv8 and Julia Nicol from Hampshire Constabulary who was present as an observer.
6
Board Members Feedback - Engagement and Recent Activities
To receive a verbal update from Corporate Parenting Board members on their recent engagement activities.
Minutes
Several members shared positive feedback in relation to recent Children in Care meetings they had attended.
Members reviewed the schedule of upcoming meetings and events and assigned themselves as observers to attend and report back to the Board.
Members reviewed the schedule of upcoming meetings and events and assigned themselves as observers to attend and report back to the Board.
7
Corporate Parenting Board Action Log
To receive an update from the Director of Children’s Services on the Corporate Parenting Board’s Action Log.
Attachments:
- Document PDF - CPB Action Log update June 2025 27 May 2025
Minutes
The Corporate Parenting Board reviewed their updated Action Log.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board noted the updated Action Log.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board noted the updated Action Log.
8
Care Leavers Annual Report 2024-25
To note the annual care leavers report.
Attachments:
- Document CPB Care Leavers Service Annual Report April 2025 27 May 2025
- Document Presentation 27 May 2025
Minutes
The Board received the annual report on the activity of the Care Leavers Service from April 2024 to March 2025 providing an overview of the achievements, progress, and challenges in meeting the needs of Hampshire’s Care Leavers.
In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:
· The number of Care Leavers from Hampshire entering the criminal justice system remained below the national average, with 14 currently serving custodial sentences. Members acknowledged the targeted, multi-agency efforts in place to support these individuals and reduce offending. It was agreed that a more comprehensive report on young people and Care Leavers involved in the criminal justice system would be presented at a future meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board.
· The recognition of care experience as a Protected Characteristic is being adopted by several Local Authorities, though interpretations and implementations vary. While this designation was not mandated at a national level, it remains a matter of local discretion.
· The NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) data presented in section 45 of the report has been influenced by an increase in the number of separated young people arriving in Hampshire, which had contributed to a rise in the overall percentages. Members acknowledged that separated young people—often with refugee status—faced additional barriers to employment, which would result in their inclusion in NEET statistics.
RESOLVED:
· That the Corporate Parenting Board note the report.
· That a future agenda item be prepared to report on young people and Care Leavers involved in the criminal justice system.
In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:
· The number of Care Leavers from Hampshire entering the criminal justice system remained below the national average, with 14 currently serving custodial sentences. Members acknowledged the targeted, multi-agency efforts in place to support these individuals and reduce offending. It was agreed that a more comprehensive report on young people and Care Leavers involved in the criminal justice system would be presented at a future meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board.
· The recognition of care experience as a Protected Characteristic is being adopted by several Local Authorities, though interpretations and implementations vary. While this designation was not mandated at a national level, it remains a matter of local discretion.
· The NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) data presented in section 45 of the report has been influenced by an increase in the number of separated young people arriving in Hampshire, which had contributed to a rise in the overall percentages. Members acknowledged that separated young people—often with refugee status—faced additional barriers to employment, which would result in their inclusion in NEET statistics.
RESOLVED:
· That the Corporate Parenting Board note the report.
· That a future agenda item be prepared to report on young people and Care Leavers involved in the criminal justice system.
9
Hampshire Virtual School Headteacher Annual Report 2023-24
To note the annual Virtual School Headteacher report.
Attachments:
- Document Hampshire Virtual School Head Report 2023-2024 27 May 2025
- Document Presentation 27 May 2025
Minutes
The Board received a report providing an overview of the Virtual School’s work and focus during the academic year 2023-2024, together with an analysis of educational outcomes for Hampshire’s cohort of children in care. The report set out the priorities for securing improved individual and cohort progress, educational experiences, and outcomes for children in the care of Hampshire.
In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:
· Since 2019, the Virtual School had delivered a comprehensive Attachment and Trauma Aware Schools programme. While participation could not be mandated across all schools, the programme continues to be actively promoted. Available data could be analysed to identify which schools have engaged with the programme and their numbers of looked after children on roll.
· Ongoing dialogue is taking place with schools to enhance the Personal Education Plan (PEP) process, while recognising the inherent variability of PEPs due to each young person’s unique needs and experiences.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board notes the Virtual School’s priorities to secure further improvements to the educational outcomes of Hampshire’s children in care.
In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:
· Since 2019, the Virtual School had delivered a comprehensive Attachment and Trauma Aware Schools programme. While participation could not be mandated across all schools, the programme continues to be actively promoted. Available data could be analysed to identify which schools have engaged with the programme and their numbers of looked after children on roll.
· Ongoing dialogue is taking place with schools to enhance the Personal Education Plan (PEP) process, while recognising the inherent variability of PEPs due to each young person’s unique needs and experiences.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board notes the Virtual School’s priorities to secure further improvements to the educational outcomes of Hampshire’s children in care.
10
Private Fostering
To provide an update on the actions taken to address the findings of the 2025 Ofsted report in relation to Private Fostering.
Attachments:
- Document CPB private fostering report June 2025 27 May 2025
Minutes
The Board received a report providing an overview of the actions taken to address the findings of the 2025 Ofsted report in relation to Private Fostering.
Members noted the definition of private fostering as a private arrangement made between a parent and a responsible adult for the care of a child under the age of 16, or under 18 if disabled. The person who will be looking after the child is not a parent or close relative of the children, and the arrangement is planned to last for 28 days or more. The Children Act 1989 defines a "close relative" within the context of kinship care as a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether full or half-blood, or by marriage or civil partnership), or step-parent.
In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:
· Plans were underway to enhance training and communication with external partners to raise awareness of Private Fostering and to improve the identification and reporting of such arrangements across Hampshire.
· The County Council provides the same level of oversight for Private Fostering arrangements as it does for Local Authority fostering placements. This includes assessments, regular visits, health checks, DBS checks, and other comprehensive safeguarding measures.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board notes the contents of the report, and the progress made.
That the Corporate Parenting Board considers ways of raising awareness of Private Fostering within their constituencies.
Members noted the definition of private fostering as a private arrangement made between a parent and a responsible adult for the care of a child under the age of 16, or under 18 if disabled. The person who will be looking after the child is not a parent or close relative of the children, and the arrangement is planned to last for 28 days or more. The Children Act 1989 defines a "close relative" within the context of kinship care as a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether full or half-blood, or by marriage or civil partnership), or step-parent.
In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:
· Plans were underway to enhance training and communication with external partners to raise awareness of Private Fostering and to improve the identification and reporting of such arrangements across Hampshire.
· The County Council provides the same level of oversight for Private Fostering arrangements as it does for Local Authority fostering placements. This includes assessments, regular visits, health checks, DBS checks, and other comprehensive safeguarding measures.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board notes the contents of the report, and the progress made.
That the Corporate Parenting Board considers ways of raising awareness of Private Fostering within their constituencies.
11
Motiv8/Councils update
To receive an update report regarding Hampshire’s Care Councils.
Attachments:
- Document Motiv8 Care Councils Corporate Parenting Board Report April 2025 27 May 2025
Minutes
The Board received the report from Motiv8 detailing recent activity by the
Hampshire Care Council.
In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that work is ongoing on the Virtual Memory Box project, which aims to provide a secure digital platform for young people in care to safely store memories, mementos and personal experiences. Members noted that further details on the project will be presented at a future meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board notes the report.
Hampshire Care Council.
In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that work is ongoing on the Virtual Memory Box project, which aims to provide a secure digital platform for young people in care to safely store memories, mementos and personal experiences. Members noted that further details on the project will be presented at a future meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board notes the report.
Previous Meetings
Future Meetings
Join the Discussion
You need to be signed in to comment.
Sign in