Consultation on corporate parenting: part 6 code of practice on looked after and accommodated children

This consultation seeks views on the proposed changes to the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 part 6 code of practice (looked after and accommodated children) including:

• a dedicated corporate parenting chapter which provide guidance for local authorities to support their role as corporate parents
• strengthening the importance of the voice of the child specifically within the care and support planning and placements chapters of the code
• strengthened guidance on the undertaking of moves and review meetings
• an update on terminology and legislation since the last update of the code which took place in April 2018

A full review of the code of practice will take place early in the next Senedd term (post May 2026). 

This consultation seeks views on the first phase of a review of the code.

The main activity of this review is the inclusion of a new dedicated chapter on corporate parenting and strengthening the importance of the voice of children and young people. It will also review terminology throughout the code which will require updating since the last review in 2018.

The first phase will also include updates in relation to fostering, adoption and kinship care. A separate consultation will be undertaken on these aspects as they are linked to regulations. The consultation on these other aspects is also available on our website. The final version of the code will integrate the changes of both consultations into a single updated code of practice which will be laid before the Senedd.

The second phase of the review of the code will take place early in the next Senedd term and will include updates around housing and homelessness, and care leavers.

The code is issued under section 145 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 ("the act"). The code was last updated and reissued in April 2018.

The code contains guidance on the exercise of a local authority’s responsibilities under the act for:

• care and support plans in relation to looked after children and young people, including education and health
• the ways in which looked after children are to be accommodated and maintained, including placements of looked after children
• contact and visits to looked after and previously looked after children, including independent visitors
• arrangements for leaving care, personal advisers, pathway plans and assessments, suitable accommodation and support for higher education
• secure accommodation
• children accommodated in other types of establishments (by health and education authorities, or in care homes or independent hospitals)

Corporate parenting policy in Wales

In response to the programme for government commitment to strengthen corporate parenting in Wales, the corporate parenting charter was officially launched on 22 September 2023. The charter consists of 11 principles and 9 promises in relation to corporate parenting which have been developed in collaboration with care-experienced children and young people. Sign up to the charter is on a voluntary basis and open to all public sector bodies, private sector and the third sector.

Alongside the work to develop the charter, Welsh Government committed to strengthen guidance on corporate parenting within the code. The purpose of the new chapter is to build on the guidance on in relation to the exercise of local authority duties set out in the current version of the code and set out good practice for local authorities in their role as corporate parents.

Voice of the child and young person

Understanding the lived experience of children and young people in care and how this has an impact on their lives runs through everything we have done, and continue to do, through the transformation programme for children services.

We have worked closely with Voices from Care Cymru to organise a series of care leavers summits. The summits provided an opportunity for Welsh Ministers in Wales to hear directly from children and young people about their experience of care and their thoughts on what changes need to be made. The outcome of the summits is a radical reform summit: declaration which has been developed between the young ambassadors, representing looked after children and care leavers in Wales, and Ministers.

Strengthening the voice of the child in the code reflects Welsh Government’s approach. Additional sections will be included to reflect areas children and young people have raised, for example how personal belongings are packed and handled during a placement move.

Preamble

Within the opening preamble we intend to remove reference to:

• the Welsh Government strategy on the educational attainment of looked after children as this was dated until 2019

Within the opening preamble of the code (page 5), we intend to add into aim and scope of the code and wellbeing outcomes:

• local authorities’ role as corporate parents and listening to the voice of children and young people

Chapter 1: care and support planning 

Chapter 1 contains guidance on the duties of local authorities in relation to part 6 care and support plans. The proposed changes to this chapter include:

Multi-agency working

In the “purpose” section of this chapter (page 10), a reference will be added in relation to the importance of multi-agency working. This is in line with the national multi-agency practice framework for children’s services.

Strengthening the voice of the child

Throughout the chapter reference to the importance of listening to the voice of the child will be strengthened.

For example, in the “care planning process section” (pages 14 to 15), the act focuses on person centred planning and care as a core principle. The code refers to the importance of gathering and including the child's wishes and feelings. The proposed changes to this section will emphasise that the child or young person should be involved and listened to as part of the process.

Family time

In the “permanence” section , the proposed changes will emphasise listening to the voice of the child and the provision of ongoing support to families. 

It is also proposed to include the following as an additional paragraph:

Children and young people may change their feelings about contact according to their age, development and wider circumstances, and the complexity of family relationships should be recognised by those working with them. While a child is being looked after it is vital the child’s views on contact and family time are listened to and regularly reviewed, this may need to be done with the support of a trusted adult or their advocate.

Care and supporting planning in relation to education

As outlined in the proposed changes in the preamble, we intend to remove any references to the Welsh Government strategy on the educational attainment of looked after children as this was dated until 2019.

Personal education plans (PEP)

In the part of the code dealing with PEPs on page 22, reference will be made to the good practice guidance which has been developed.

Review meetings

During the care experienced summits looked after children fed back their lessons were often disrupted due to PEP or care review meetings. It is proposed a section will be included to align with other guidance in this area which explains that where possible, meetings should be held outside of lesson times. If this is not possible, provide an appropriate room to ensure privacy for the meeting.

Strengthening the voice of the child

Throughout the chapter, reference to the importance of listening to the voice of the child will be strengthened.

Moves

The proposal is to include a section in this chapter on guidance for undertaking moves paying reference to the handling of looked after children’s personal belongings.

The belongings of looked after children should be treated with the upmost respect and every looked after child should be provided with suitable bags for their belongings, but bin bags should never be used. A number of local authorities in Wales have pre-purchased holdall bags for the belongings of looked after children to be used for periods of transition. In addition, the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) My Things Matter campaign has developed a partnership with Madlug, a bag brand based in Ireland, to provide free holdall bags to young people.

There are occasions, primarily in emergency circumstances, where pre-purchased bags have not been used. If there are occasions where suitable bags cannot be used local authorities should reflect on how this will be avoided in future and discuss the matter with the looked after child, and ensure their voices inform development in their practice on transporting personal belongings.

What is corporate parenting?

The concept of “corporate parenting” was first introduced in September 1998, prior to devolution in Wales by the then Secretary of State for Health Frank Dobson. It was one part of the UK Government’s "quality protects" 5 year programme to ensure that children in need, including looked after children, received the care, safety, security and chances in life that all children deserve. Therefore, there is currently no single legal definition of corporate parenting that applies in relation to Wales.

The following is a suggested definition which has been commonly used to explain local authorities’ role as a corporate parent:

The local authority must safeguard and promote their wellbeing of looked after children and make use of services available for children as their “corporate parent”. This collective responsibility is placed on the whole authority including its elected members, employees, and partner agencies to be the best parent it can be to that child or person and be the guide for them in their community. The whole of the local authority has a responsibility to act for that child in the same way a good parent would act for their own child including when they leave care.

Work has been ongoing since the launch of the corporate parenting charter to promote its principles to wider organisations who have not had any previous knowledge of corporate parenting. Reflecting on these discussions the proposed term of “community parenting" is being considered for those who do not have any statutory responsibility.

Use of this term emphasises that parenting is a collective effort and can be used to explain corporate parenting to this wider community. The intention would be to use:

• corporate parenting to explain local authorities’ parenting responsibilities alongside others with statutory responsibilities
• community parenting to demonstrate a more child-centred, inclusive, and holistic approach to care from the wider community around the child

Proposals for the corporate parenting chapter

The purpose of this new chapter will be to provide guidance for local authorities to support the exercise of their duties in relation to their role as corporate parents. The proposed structure for this chapter is:

• corporate parenting: delivery, including voice of the child
• corporate parenting: role in providing information when leaving care
• corporate parenting: reporting

Corporate parenting delivery including voice of the child

Section 6 of the act sets out the general and overarching duties that are placed on local authorities in relation to looked after children and care leavers. There are 2 duties which are relevant for this section: 

• local authorities must ascertain and have regard to the child or young person’s views, wishes and feelings, so far as is reasonably practicable
• the local authority looking after a child must safeguard and promote the child’s wellbeing

To enable local authorities as corporate parents to exercise these duties effectively, there are examples of local authorities in Wales establishing corporate parenting panels or groups. These panels can provide a useful forum to listen to looked after children and care leavers which will help to inform the design and delivery of local authority corporate parenting responsibilities.

These panels or groups can include senior members or officers representing children and adult services, education and housing as well as other areas linked to looked after children and care leavers.

The proposed chapter would explain the benefits of setting up such panels as mechanisms to support the delivery of the duties outlined above. The chapter would also outline options for supporting the voice and views of children and young people in service delivery and planning paying due regard to the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Examples of good practice on how this can be delivered would also be provided in an additional corporate parenting toolkit which will be published separately online.

Corporate parent’s role in providing information when leaving care

In the act and the Care Leavers (Wales) Regulations 2015 there are duties on local authorities to provide support and information for young people when they are leaving care and on keeping in contact. These duties include appointing a personal adviser (PA) and keeping in touch with a young person in the prescribed circumstances.

The provision of consistent, accessible information for young people leaving care on the range of support and entitlements available to them is an area which has been raised during the care experienced summits. There are good examples of this provision of information across local authorities in Wales, but it is not consistent.

To provide accessible information to care leavers and assist personal advisers in their role, the proposal is to consider a local authority dedicated and accessible online information resource. This resource such as a web page or online app would provide information on the entitlements for young people once they have left care, up to the age of 25.

Corporate parenting reporting

Children and young people have asked the Welsh Government how they will know if local authorities are doing what they should be as corporate parents. The chapter will include suggestions that, for example:

• a corporate parenting panel or board should hold regular 6 monthly meetings with looked after children and care leavers in their area
• sharing examples of good practice with Welsh Government, which could be published as part of a Wales compendium of good practice each year
• consideration of good practice by including clear methods of measuring progress such as national data and performance measures

Terminology update: additional learning needs

In line with the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 and the Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales 2021 references to “special educational needs” will be changed to “additional learning needs”.

Strengthening the voice of the child

Throughout the chapter reference to the importance of listening to the voice of the child will be strengthened.

The role and function of the Independent Review Officer (IRO)

In this section the proposal is to include “listen to and ensure that the child’s wishes and feelings are taken into consideration” as the first point under the role of the IRO. 

The review process

In this section, the proposal is to amend paragraph 373 on page 71 from “key issues” to “key aim”, the amended paragraph in full would be: 

• the key aim of the review process is the child’s participation and involvement, including providing the child with clear explanations of the reason for any changes

It will also be necessary to ensure that the process includes: 

• the appropriate involvement of other agencies
• supervision and oversight by responsible managers
• details of the extent to which progress is being made towards achieving the identified outcomes

Question 1: chapter 2 - placements

Do you agree with the proposed additions and amendments to these sections of the code? If no, please could you explain and what further amendments are needed?

Question 2: what is corporate parenting?

What are your views on the term “community parenting”? 

Question 3: corporate parenting delivery including voice of the child

What are your views on the proposals in this section of the chapter on corporate parenting panels or groups? 

Question 4: corporate parent’s role in providing information when leaving care

What are your views on the proposals for this section of the chapter? Is there anything missing? 

Question 5: corporate parent’s role in providing information when leaving care

Do you think this information would be better located on a national or local platform? Please explain.

Question 6: corporate parenting reporting

What are your views on the proposals for this section of the chapter? Is there anything missing?

Question 7: corporate parenting reporting

What do you think would be the most effective way of measuring progress in relation to corporate parenting? 

Question 8: chapter 4 - review of cases

Do you agree with the proposed additions and amendments to these sections of the code? If no, please could you explain what further amendments are needed.

Question 9

We have asked a number of specific questions. If you have any related issues which we have not specifically addressed, please use this space to report them.

Question 10

Do you think that any of the proposals outlined in this document will have any unintended consequences? If yes, please explain.

Question 11

What are your views on the likely impact of the proposed changes to part 6 code of practice (corporate parenting) on groups of people, particularly those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010? What effects do you think there would be?

Question 12

We would like to know your views on the effects proposed changes to part 6 code of practice (corporate parenting) would have on the Welsh language, specifically on opportunities for people to use Welsh and on treating the Welsh language no less favourably than English. What effects do you think there would be? How could positive effects be increased, or negative effects be mitigated?

Submit your comments by 27 October 2025, in any of the following ways:

• complete our online form
• download, complete our response form and email: corporateparenting@gov.wales
• download, complete our response form and post to:

Improving Outcomes for Children
Social Services and Chief Social Care Officer
Health, Social Care and Early Years 
Welsh Government 
Cathays Park 
Cardiff 
CF10 3NQ

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• to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) who is our independent regulator for data protection

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For further details about the information the Welsh Government holds and its use, or if you want to exercise your rights under the GDPR, please see contact details below.

Data Protection Officer

Data Protection Officer
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

Email: data.protectionofficer@gov.wales

Information Commissioner’s Office

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625 545 745 or 0303 123 1113

Website: Information Commissioner’s Office

UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The Welsh Government will be data controller for any personal data you provide as part of your response to the consultation. Welsh ministers have statutory powers they will rely on to process this personal data which will enable them to make informed decisions about how they exercise their public functions. Any response you send us will be seen in full by Welsh Government staff dealing with the issues which this consultation is about or planning future consultations. Where the Welsh Government undertakes further analysis of consultation responses then this work may be commissioned to be carried out by an accredited third party (for example, a research organisation or a consultancy company). Any such work will only be undertaken under contract. Welsh Government’s standard terms and conditions for such contracts set out strict requirements for the processing and safekeeping of personal data. In order to show that the consultation was carried out properly, the Welsh Government intends to publish a summary of the responses to this document. We may also publish responses in full. Normally, the name and address (or part of the address) of the person or organisation who sent the response are published with the response. If you do not want your name or address published, please tell us this in writing when you send your response. We will then redact them before publishing.

You should also be aware of our responsibilities under Freedom of Information legislation. If your details are published as part of the consultation response then these published reports will be retained indefinitely. Any of your data held otherwise by Welsh Government will be kept for no more than 3 years.

For further information about this consultation contact:

Improving Outcomes for Children
Social Services and Chief Social Care Officer
Health, Social Care and Early Years 
Welsh Government 
Cathays Park 
Cardiff 
CF10 3NQ

Email: corporateparenting@gov.wales

Number: WG52399

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