Corporate Parenting

When a child comes into care, the council becomes the Corporate Parent. Put simply, the term 'Corporate Parent' means the collective responsibility of the council, elected members, employees, and partner agencies, to provide the best possible care and safeguarding for the children who are looked after by us.

A child in the care of the council looks to the council to be the best parent it can be to that child. Every member and employee of the council has the statutory responsibility to act for that child in the same way that a good parent would act for their own child.

Every good parent wants the best for their child. They want to see their child flourish with good health, to be safe and happy, to do well at school and enjoy good relationships with their peers. They also want to see them make the most of hobbies and interests, and to grow towards adulthood ready to lead independent lives, making their way in higher education, good careers, and to be financially secure. 

West Berkshire council has the same goals for the children it looks after. The council takes seriously the moral and legal responsibilities for making sure the children in its care experience happy and fulfilling lives.
 

Corporate Parenting principles

Our corporate parenting principles are:

• To act in the best interests, and promote the physical and mental health and wellbeing of children and young people
   
• To encourage those children and young people to express their views, wishes and feelings
   
• To take into account the views, wishes and feelings of those children and young people
   
• To help children and young people access services provided by the local authority and its relevant partners, and make the best use of them
   
• To promote high aspirations, and seek to secure the best outcomes
   
• For those children and young people to be safe, and for stability in their home lives, relationships and education or work
   
• To prepare children and young people for adulthood and independent living