Our role as Corporate Parents is both an enormous responsibility and a great privilege. We become Corporate Parents when we make the decision to take a child or young person into our care because that’s the safest and best place for them to be, and it’s not a decision that’s ever taken lightly.
We work hard, wherever possible, to keep families together but in the instances where that is just not possible, we are determined that the lives of those children and their future prospects are better off because of it. They must be. We cannot accept less.
In Wirral, the majority of children who need care have experienced abuse and/or neglect. Their start in life is different from that of other children. This puts them on the back foot and severely hampers their life chances through no fault of their own. As Corporate Parents, it is our duty to put them right wherever we can by making sure we act like the family our children need and deserve. A family that keeps them safe, provides a loving home, makes sure they go to a good school and get the support and encouragement they need to be a success. We have enough resources and capacity to be the family that helps them to prepare for adult life, to find meaningful work, to secure their first home, to have healthy relationships and feel a sense of belonging in the borough.
As Director of Children’s Services, I am committed to ensuring that this Corporate Parenting Plan is adopted across all council departments and throughout the children’s partnership. Together, as an extended family, we can be the difference in the lives of our care experienced children and young people.
Elizabeth Hartley
Director of Children’s Services