APPG Inquiry into Corporate Parenting
The APPG for Care-Experienced Children and Young People is launching a report with the findings from its inquiry into the Government's proposals to extend corporate parenting duties.
What is the APPG for Care-Experienced Children and Young People?
An All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) is an informal group of MPs and Peers from any political party (cross-party), who share a common interest in a particular policy area. Become is the secretariat to the APPG for Care-Experienced Children and Young People, which works to promote the voice of care-experienced children and young people, and better inform or influence government policy for the care system.
What is Corporate Parenting and why is there an inquiry?
Local authorities currently have responsibilities, as ‘corporate parents’, to act in the best interests and promote the well-being of children in care and care leavers. Local authorities must ensure they consider acting in line with seven corporate parenting principles, which are set out in law.
Following a recommendation in the Care Review and similar reforms in Scotland, the Government have committed to extending corporate parenting responsibilities to a range of other public bodies and organisations in England.
The APPG for Care-Experienced Children and Young People launched an inquiry this Summer of 2023 to consider which public bodies corporate parenting responsibilities should be extended to and what the reforms should look like. Using the views and insights of care-experienced young people, and others, we plan to share these in a report with the Government to influence and inform the development of these reforms.
Thank you for your involvement!
We are delighted to see over 200 contributions of wide-ranging views and valuable insight via the inquiry’s three arms: Call for Evidence; Survey for Public Bodies and Engagement Sessions with Care-Experienced Children and Young People.
We have heard first-hand experiences, best and good practices and thank all the care-experienced children and young people; public bodies and organisations; academics, and professionals in the care system and everybody who contributed to this inquiry.
The APPG Report
On 5 March 2024, the APPG published its report with the findings from this inquiry. The report was officially launched in Parliament, to explore the inquiry’s key findings and how these reforms have the potential to positively transform the scaffolding of support around care-experienced young people. In a powerful discussion, parliamentarians heard directly from care-experienced young people involved in the inquiry, on how they would like to see public organisations, including schools, health services and the police, improve the support and services they provide.
Next steps?
Looking ahead, we will be publishing a report in the New Year, detailing the findings from the evidence in this inquiry with recommendations and policy suggestions to Government on how they should be implementing the reforms to the extension of corporate parenting responsibilities. We are doing this in line with Government timelines to ensure that evidence given to this inquiry and presented in the report can influence and inform the Government development of its reforms to legislation.
How can I be updated?
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Philip Hiscox says:
July 18, 2023 at 6:12 pm
As a care experienced person for most of my first 18 years of life I campaigned through the old NAYPIC and am saddened that so many of the issues at that time are still not fully resolved in 2023
parenting says:
November 6, 2023 at 11:50 am
“The APPG Inquiry into Corporate Parenting is a vital exploration of how institutions fulfill their parental role for children in care. This investigation aims to enhance support, ensuring these young individuals receive the care, opportunities, and guidance needed for a brighter future. It’s a commendable effort to redefine corporate parenting standards.”
parenting says:
November 6, 2023 at 12:40 pm
The APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) inquiry into corporate parenting is a crucial step toward improving support and outcomes for children in care. By examining current policies and practices, it aims to ensure that corporate parents, including local authorities and institutions, fulfill their duties effectively in providing the best care and opportunities for these vulnerable young individuals. This inquiry holds the potential to drive positive change and accountability in the realm of corporate parenting.