Abstract

In spite of considerable attention in recent years, there continues to be a gap between the outcomes of looked after children and those of their peers.

There is more to being a good parent than keeping children safe - every child needs to feel that parents are 'there' for them, including children in the care system. The complication for children in care is that those responsible are the elected members and officers of the local authority.

With an emphasis on practical tools and training materials, this new edition will support the implementation of corporate parenting across the local authority by focusing on the leadership and commitment that members and officers can provide.

This new edition is essential reading for all local councillors and supports elected members and council officers to ensure that they fulfil their role as corporate parents. It sets out the responsibilities of a corporate parent, together with practical exercises and briefings to support effective practice.

Di Hart worked for many years as a child care social worker and manager before taking up a post at NCB developing practice with children in public care. She has a particular interest in children in secure settings. Recent work has included a review of the use of physical restraint in children's services, the development of a care-planning model for looked after children who go into custody and a project aiming to improve outcomes for the children of drug-misusing parents