Care Leavers: Life Chances

Baroness Kennedy of Shaws Excerpts

Wednesday 29th June 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Howarth of Breckland (CB)]

My Lords—

[Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Noble Lords]

This side!

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Nash]

The noble Baroness is quite right and she knows that the Minister, Mr Timpson, is very focused on this. We will shortly bring forward more proposals.

[Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws]

My Lords, my question is simple. How did we get to the place where we talk about “corporate parenting”? I ask this House to think about that notion. The idea that some children might not be able to stay with their own parents is one thing, but the idea that we talk about corporate parenting in a world like this—what does that mean?

[Lord Nash]

I apologise if the noble Baroness does not like the expression but the intention is to give these children someone who is in loco parentis and can fight their corner. It is about changing and spreading good practice, and making sure that the local authorities’ task in loco parentis does not burden them with a tick-box approach and extra duties.