Corporate Parenting Week 12-16 June 2023
What is a Corporate Parent?
When a child or young person is no longer able to live with their biological family, they may enter the care system.
The Sandwell Corporate Parenting family made up of Sandwell Children’s Trust and Sandwell Council automatically becomes the child or young person’s parent, the official term is ‘Corporate Parent’.
The corporate parenting family consist of everyone who makes a difference in a child/young person’s life.
This could include people like elected members, Sandwell Children's Trust board members, employees of the council and Sandwell Children's Trust and partner agencies such as West Midlands Police, Black country NHS foundation and the voluntary organisations.
Together they are responsible for the wellbeing and development of the child or young person in ensuring they are provided with the best possible chance of prospering and becoming successful and happy members of society.
As Corporate Parents we are responsible for providing secure, nurturing and positive experiences for children and young people.
What is the aim of Sandwell Corporate Parenting week?
In 2022, the Local Government Association (LGA) facilitated training sessions for Sandwell Cabinet members, Elected members and the Corporate Parenting board.
The LGA recognised all the brilliant work Sandwell Corporate Parents are doing for Sandwell Children in Care and Care Leavers.
Sandwell Corporate Parenting Board are holding a Corporate Parenting Week between Monday 12th June – Friday 16th June 2023.
As a partnership, SMBC, Sandwell Children’s Trust, Black Country NHS Foundation and CAHMS colleagues will be celebrating the week with the aim to:
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Raise the profile of Corporate Parenting across partnerships
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Ensure a clear understanding of what it means to be a Corporate Parent
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For individuals to develop the confidence to support and be a Corporate Parent
Watch the video of Abdul and Lukas describing what it means to be
a Corporate Parent and how we can champion Children in Care and Care Leavers
