SOMERSET county councillors have been reminded of their personal responsibility to champion the needs of children in the care of the council.

At yesterday's (Wednesday, May 18) full council meeting, Somerset’s Corporate Parenting Strategy (2016-19) was approved.

County Hall's director of children’s services, Julian Wooster, spoke to all councillors about their duty to children in care and provided them with some newly developed guidance which clarifies the duties of corporate parents and includes helpful links to more resources.

All councillors are corporate parents to children who are looked after by the authoerity.

They must ensure that children looked after are given the opportunities to lead happy and fulfilling lives.

When it comes to health, education and life in Somerset, councillors should be championing the needs of children looked after and constantly be asking: “Would this be good enough for my own child?”

The county's cabinet member for children and families, Cllr Frances Nicholson, said: "Unfortunately, children and young people looked after or who are leaving our care do not generally achieve as well as other children.

"They do not do as well at school, are less likely to go on to higher education, are more likely to be NEET (not in education, employment or training) and are over-represented in the youth offending system.”

“All county councillors should be using their position and contacts to promote better opportunities for the children and young people looked after, so that we can consistently narrow the gap in achievement and good outcomes between children looked after and other children in our communities.

"The session yesterday reminded us all of our responsibilities and highlighted the difference good corporate parenting can make.”

As part of the council’s Corporate Parenting Board, councillors can develop a clear understanding of the issues affecting children looked after and speak directly with the Somerset in Care and Leaving Care Councils to ensure they have a say in decisions being made about their lives.

Mrs Nicholson added: “I’m proud that corporate parenting has so much cross-party support in our council, and I look forward to working more with our children and young people to continue to develop this important area of children’s services.”

Chair of Somerset's Children & Families scrutiny committee and council member for Bridgwater South, Leigh Redman, said: "A number of Councillors already volunteer their time to support the children looked after in many different ways.
"We all know that being in care is a dramatic intervention- any help or support we can give these young people will improve their chances.
"I help out with the Somerset in care council.
"These are monthly meetings where children looked after come together to help council understand their needs.
"The young people discuss current issues and policies so that their experiences can help others in the same situation.
"Councillors come from diverse backgrounds and can often offer their experiences to help, from CV writing and interview skills to checking accommodation provision or adoption panels.
"You will really get something back from volunteering your time."