When a child, for whatever reason, can’t safely stay at home, it is up to the local authority to step in and give them the care, support and stability that they deserve. This is called corporate parenting.
Looking after and protecting children is one of the most important jobs that councils do, however there are greater benefits when organisations work together.
In Solihull we are developing our approach to corporate parenting and can see the huge benefits of drawing on expertise and opportunities that other businesses, organisations and individuals outside the Council can offer. We call this community parenting.
To formalise these arrangements, we established a Community Parenting Board in February 2024. The board is co-chaired by the Council’s assistant director for corporate parenting and a care experienced young adult.
The purpose of the board is to bring together individuals and organisations and share how they are supporting children and young people in care in Solihull. This ranges from offering work experience and apprenticeship/internship opportunities, supporting with interview practice, providing experience in skilled trades, and donating household essentials to help them set-up home.
Organisations who have provided support
We are thankful to the following organisations for the support they have provided so far:
- Balfour Beatty
- Barclays Bank
- Birmingham Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust
- Birmingham Women’s & Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
- Care Leaver Covenant
- Carers Trust Solihull
- CAVA
- Citizens Advice
- Dodd Group
- Fitcap
- GMI Construction Group
- Goodwill Solutions
- Heart Shaped Decisions (CiC)
- John Lewis Solihull
- Paragon Bank
- Prologis
- RMF Group
- Rock Solid
- Solihull College and University Centre
- Solihull Moors Foundation
- Support for Life UK
- West Midlands Police
If your organisation is interested in providing support, please email communityparenting@solihull.gov.uk.
What do we mean by children in care and care experienced young adults?
Children in care
The Children Act 1989 defines a child as being looked after if he or she is in the care of the local authority, or if he or she is provided with accommodation, for a continuous period of more than 24 hours.
Care experienced young adults
The Children and Social Work Act 2017 says that when a child or young person comes into the care of the local authority, or is under 25 and was looked-after by the authority for at least 13 weeks after their 14th birthday, the authority becomes their corporate parent.