What is corporate parenting?

Corporate parenting is when the local authority takes on the role of a good parent to a child in its care.

"Corporate parenting cannot replace or replicate the selfless character of parental love; but it does imply a warmth and personal concern which goes beyond the traditional expectations of institutions." (The Utting report, 1991)

We have a duty to act as a good parent to children and young people in our care and those in the process of leaving care. We want these children to have the outcomes that every effective parent would want for their own children. Sometimes we will share parental responsibility with the child's parents.

Read more about how Kent County Council acts as corporate parent and Kent's Pledge to looked after children.

Please visit Kent Trust Web to view published policy, procedure and guidance designed to improve social work practice and outcomes for looked after children (this link opens in a new window).

Equality and diversity 

KCC's aims to achieve the Equality Standards for Local Government at level 5 by 2010 requires evidence that the diverse needs of staff and service users are addressed. Within children's social services, equality and diversity issues are monitored by the Equalities Group on a bi-monthly basis. An Equalities and Diversity workplan is now in place for 2008-2010 and this will be monitored on a 6 monthly basis by the Equalities Group. The workplan requires all Children's Social Services Districts and Units to identify in their individual business plans actions which support the implementation of the Children, Families & Education Directorate's Equalities Plan. Download the CFE Equalities Action Plan for further information.