THURROCK Council unanimously supported its first annual report of the Corporate Parenting Committee when it met on Wednesday (19 June) evening.
Presenting the report, new portfolio holder for children’s social care, Cllr Bukky Okunade said: “Looked-after children are beyond party politics and I am sure all members who have served on the Corporate Parenting Committee will concur that the parental responsibility which we hold for Thurrock children is a great privilege and a great responsibility.
“The annual report highlights the intensity and depth of that responsibility.
“My challenge to all members tonight is to remind you that the committee, which includes Thurrock foster carers and the chair of the Children in Care Council, requires your support. We are all corporate parents.”
She said: “We have to be sure we hear the voice of the child in the system – our thriving Children in Care Council, supported by Open Door, help us do that and I want to thank all those young people who give up their own time in order to represent the diverse views of the 270 children and young people who are looked after in Thurrock.
However, the shadow spokesperson for childrens services, cllr James Halden told the chamber that the council must do more to publicise fostering opportunities as he believed that private fostering companies had stolen a march on them.
