Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025 to 2030
Foreword
Foreword from Councillor Carl Jackson
This comprehensive strategy is dedicated to the well-being and future success of our care experienced children and young people. It demonstrates Buckinghamshire Council’s unwavering commitment to ensuring all our children and young people receive the support, stability, and opportunities they deserve.
The experiences and insights shared by our children and young people have shaped this strategy. Their voices, promoted through the Buckinghamshire Children in Care Council, 'We Do Care', have guided us in developing a strategy which reflects their needs and aspirations.
The strategy explains our priorities, which focus on creating an environment where every child can thrive. From ensuring stable, loving homes to supporting their educational and emotional well-being, Buckinghamshire Council is determined to help every child feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Councillor Carl Jackson
Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services
Buckinghamshire Council
We Do Care Council
'We Do Care’ is the Buckinghamshire Children in Care Council attended by children in care aged 5-17 and care leavers aged 18-25 who want to ensure that their experiences, views and ideas shape the services and support available.
Hello from the Care Ambassadors!
Our role has been to make sure the experiences and voices of care-experienced children, young people and young adults has been kept at the heart of this ambitious document.
Being a Corporate Parent means caring about us and supporting us in the ways available to you. Sometimes, that’s listening to us and helping us directly, building our confidence, supporting our emotional wellbeing, exploring our interests, making sure we get the right help at the right time.
Sometimes it’s advocating for us as individuals or collectively behind the scenes, in professional and partnership meetings, events, and decision-making spaces. It could include coming to our We Do Care sessions and events to find out how the support you and colleagues provide for care-experienced people could be improved.
There are a lot of words in this strategy. When you read this document, please keep in mind every care-experienced child and young person – everyone has different experiences. We ask that you follow-up on the promises made in this strategy and Listen, Act and Respond to us.
From three of your proud Care Ambassadors of We Do Care
Being a good Corporate Parent means that you listen to us and that you do not dominate. Whilst not replacing the parenting role, being a good corporate parent means having clear boundaries, helping us settle into new homes and getting the most out of these new routines, ensuring that we feel safe, can sleep and eat well and that there is always someone there for us to talk to and to develop our interests. A Corporate Parent builds our confidence and helps us work through our feelings.
Foreword by Director for Children's Services
As the Director for Children’s Services, I am profoundly committed to the vision and objectives set forth in Buckinghamshire’s Corporate Parenting Strategy. This document represents our unwavering dedication to the children and young people under our care. It is our collective mission to ensure that they have the same opportunities, support, and love that every child deserves.
Our strategy is built on the foundation of listening to the voices of those we serve. We have extensively engaged with the children and young people through ‘We Do Care’, ensuring their insights and experiences are at the heart of our approach. Their courage and candidness have guided us in developing a strategy that truly reflects their needs and aspirations.
We aim to provide an environment where every child can thrive, focusing on stable homes, educational success, and emotional well-being. This strategy is not just a plan; it is a commitment to action and a call to all our partners to join us in this cause. I am confident that, together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of our care experienced children and young people.
Sarah Ashmead
Director for Children’s Services
Buckinghamshire Council