If you are, or have ever been, looked after by the Council you can get support from our Right to Rights Service. We will help you with anything that is important to you and provide you with information, advice and assistance to help put things right or to help you to understand what’s happening and why.
We will also listen to you and help with any concerns you have about the service you have received either now or in the past from the Council. We want to hear about things that you are happy with as well, so that we can help to make sure they continue to happen for you and other looked after children and young people.
Our services also include independent advocacy. This is where our workers make sure that your voice is heard and acted upon. We do this by speaking up for you or helping you to talk about things that are important to you. It’s a way of helping you to stand up for your rights.
The Corporate Parenting Strategy 2024/2027: A summary
This was approved by Cabinet in January 2024.
The Strategy sets out Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council’s vision, priorities, and commitments to reducing inequalities for children in care and care experienced young people. It also outlines our ambitions for their future and how we want to continue to develop our services and that of other agencies over the next 3 years to enable our children and young people to achieve their ambitions.
Corporate Parenting Principles
The Strategy sets out the seven national Corporate Parenting Principles that local authorities will have regard to when exercising their functions in relation to children in care and care leavers, as follows:
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To act in the best interests and promote the physical and mental health and wellbeing of those children and young people.
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To encourage those children and young people to express their views, wishes and feelings.
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To take into account the views, wishes and feelings of those children and young people.
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To help those children and young people gain access to and make the best use of services provided by the local authority and its relevant partners.
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To promote high aspirations and seek to secure the best outcomes for those children and young people.
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For those children and young people to be safe and to have stability in their home lives, relationships and education or work.
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To prepare those children and young people for adulthood and independent living.
Our Promise
The Strategy sets out 9 promises, which tell children and young people what they can expect from Rotherham Council and partners, as children in care or care leavers.
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We will help you to live in a safe place where you are protected from harm.
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We will listen to what you have to say and make sure it makes a difference.
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We will help you to learn and do your best at school and college.
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We will fully involve you in plans and decisions about you and your future.
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We will help you to learn new skills as you grown up and become an adult.
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We will help you take part in activities that you enjoy/are interested in.
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We will help you to be proud of yourself and celebrate your individual beliefs.
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We will help you to be happy and healthy.
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We will help you to explore and be ready for the world of work.
Priorities
The following areas of priority are identified in the Strategy along with what we will do to address these over the next 3 years, and what success will look like when these are achieved.
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Children and Young People’s Voice
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Placement Sufficiency
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Education and Attainment
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Well-being and Independence
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Deliver an Outstanding Leaving Care Service
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Workforce Development.
Progress against the priorities will be reported and monitored through the Corporate Parenting Partnership Board with a final report to Cabinet in 2027.
The full policy is available for download below. Please note, these downloads may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Download the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2024-27 as a PDF document
Download the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2024-27 as a Word document
[Easy Read link]