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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: • to consider the information contained within the report.
RESOLVED: • to note the information contained within this report. • to keep under review the type of information that is sought from IROs.
RESOLVED: • to review and consider the information contained within this report. • to consider whether they wish to receive a further report to evaluate the PDG/CLA cluster model for 2025/26.
RESOLVED: • to acknowledge the work undertaken by TGP Cymru.
RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of the exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of the Schedule 12A of the Act.
Apologies for absence were received from the Head of Partnerships, Ms E Walters and the Service Manager (Safeguarding), Ms N Manley.
In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following personal declarations were provided: Ø County Borough Councillor G Caple – “I am a governor on the Virtual School governing body”. Ø County Borough Councillor R Lewis – “I am a governor on the Virtual School governing body”.
To approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board held on the 14th July 2025.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: • to consider the information contained within the report.
The Head of Service - Fostering, Residential & IFSS presented the report to Corporate Parenting Board providing an update on the work of the Therapeutic Support Panel over the course of 2024/25 and the implementation of a therapeutic model for Children’s Services. A Member referring to page 18, of the report, sought clarification in respect of referrals. The Head of Service explained that no referrals were stopped coming through to the panel, and there wasn’t an element of unmet needs, but in terms of people that aren’t being referred, that was reflected in the prioritisation, which was the bit that needed working on in terms of preventative support. The Officer provided further context around what was beneficial and what was absolutely necessary, recognising the finite resources. The Director Children’s Services added that some of the approach that needed to be applied needed to be systemic and they were working on a model of practice which had at its heart, relationship trauma informed practice and collaboration, and provided further context. However, the Director advised that the need didn’t match the resources available, and Heads of Service (HoS) would have the job of thinking about what could be done to achieve best impact, providing further context with regards to the funding. Members, referring to page 24 of the report, were concerned that CAMHs were not involved at this stage, and sought reassurance that they would get involved. The Chair thanked the Officer for the report, acknowledging the extensive information about the service recognising that the outcomes spoke for themselves e.g., improvement on placement stability, which was an absolute credit to the service. The Chair acknowledged the need for more resources. A Member recommended that when available, they would like to see a report come back in respect of bridging the gap for 17+ young people and working with health to determine what pathway was available to them. The Chair recommended that CPB should write to CAMHs via the Director of Children’s Services, to get some support for the Board to get CAMHs involved with the service. Following consideration of the report, the Corporate Parenting Board RESOLVED: • to consider the information contained within the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: • to note the information contained within this report. • to keep under review the type of information that is sought from IROs.
The Team Practice & Performance Manager presented the report to Corporate Parenting Board providing information about the discharge of the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) functions for Children Looked After (CLA) for the period June 2024 – July 2025. A Member, referencing page 50 and 53 of the report, sought clarification around requests in between normal reviews, noting that most children didn’t attend their reviews. The Team Practice & Performance Manager acknowledged that they would like to see 100% attendance from young people, although it was recognised some would be uncomfortable coming into what they would feel is a professional meeting, and explained how IRO’s would overcome those barriers. The Officer provided further clarity around mid-point reviews. The Officer confirmed that referrals were not received from other agencies and provided further clarity around the involvement of social workers and social worker teams, explaining they would inform IROs of any significant changes or developments, so there can be a discussion and consideration to bringing the review forward if need be. Equally children and parents could make the same requests as well. The Chair acknowledged that the report was really interesting and sought timescales for the introduction of the parent and child feedback form. The Team Practice & Performance Manager, explained they were not clear on timescales, noting there would probably need to be a pilot first. Whilst IRO’s had good relationships with parents and children, they are able to converse and consult with them, and parents very often feel safe to ask IRO’s questions in reviews, this was an opportunity to make sure no opportunities are missed and will evolve the service. A Member querying the tables on pages 45/46 of the report, asked for clarification around the figures. The Team Practice & Performance Manager confirmed the numbers of Children Looked After (CLA) were dropping, stressing the benefits of this, for Members. The Director of Children’s Services added further context around the work between Children’s Services and partners, on the CLA Prevention Strategy, acknowledging that that she looked forward to a future CPB meeting, where some more evaluation and proposals around phase 2 of that strategy, could be presented. Following consideration of the report, the Corporate Parenting Board RESOLVED: • to note the information contained within this report. • to keep under review the type of information that is sought from IROs.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: • to review and consider the information contained within this report. • to consider whether they wish to receive a further report to evaluate the PDG/CLA cluster model for 2025/26.
The Headteacher for Virtual School for Children Looked After RCT presented the report to Corporate Parenting Board providing an overview of the evaluation of the school cluster model for the Pupil Development Grant for Children Looked After (PDG/CLA) funding during the financial year 2024/2025 in Rhondda Cynon Taf. A Member sought clarification about adopted children missing out on support. The Director of Children’s Services acknowledged this was a thought provoking point and provided a comprehensive response acknowledging one of the things the National Adoption Service was asking all to do, was to be more care experienced aware, in all of work, so there was some training going on across teaching, starting with the PGCE. The Headteacher for Virtual School for Children Looked After RCT acknowledged they did support lots of adopted learners, where their adoptive parents had declared, but there could be 1 or 2 out there that haven’t. The Virtual School Headteacher provided further information on the work with Cardiff Metropolitan University around animations for the PCGE course, explaining all course candidates were learning about trauma informed practice and learning how to support care experienced children because it was known that a care experienced approach benefited all children. A Member was particularly pleased to hear about the music therapy and the positive impact that was having, acknowledging the arts in general could be a great healer and a great therapeutic use, and asked if there were any further contacts or other types of drama or art therapy. The Member sought clarification around the Virtual School Headteacher role. The Virtual School Headteacher provided clarification around her role, explaining they weren’t part of a cluster, but were part of the local authority, under Access and Inclusion Service. The Virtual School Headteacher provided further context around the role of the team. The Virtual School Headteacher explained that they were working with the SONIG Youth Music, in a therapeutic way for pupils. The Virtual School Headteacher provided an example and information around a pupil who had done a rap song with SONIG. A Member, who had experienced first-hand the work of SONIG, agreed that this was a good connection for the young people of RCT. It was noted SONIG Youth Music would be attending the CLA event. Following consideration of the report, the Corporate Parenting Board RESOLVED: • to review and consider the information contained within this report. • to consider whether they wish to receive a further report to evaluate the PDG/CLA cluster model for 2025/26.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: • to acknowledge the work undertaken by TGP Cymru.
Tros Gynnal Plant provided the Corporate Parenting Board with a progress update for the quarter 1 period, which covered April to June 2025, which provides information on the service delivered to care experienced young children in RCT. The Officer then took CPB Members through the Q1 key statistics including sections on the activity overview, other Information, visiting advocacy and service information, before concluding with a case example. The Chair acknowledged this important service and the comprehensive report. The Chair noted she was pleased to hear about the successful funding bid for the advocacy project, which would focus on the delivery of advocacy services to children and young people suffering with emotional and mental health difficulties but do not meet the criteria for statutory services and looked forward to receiving an update at a future meeting of the board. Following consideration of the report, the Corporate Parenting Board RESOLVED: • to acknowledge the work undertaken by TGP Cymru.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of the exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of the Schedule 12A of the Act.
It was RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of the exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of the Schedule 12A of the Act.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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