How does Kent County Council act as a corporate parent?

Effective corporate parents make decisions and behave in ways that:

• promote children and young people's material well-being
• provide appropriate education for looked after children
• provide appropriate health care for looked after children
• promote employment
• encourage leisure and continuing interests
• provide support after leaving care; please visit what happens when a child becomes looked after? for details of support available when a child leaves care
• help the child develop personal skills and preferences

• provide a sense of security and belonging
• understand family life. We listen to the views of children and young people in care or preparing to leave care.  We work closely and effectively with our partners, such as the health service and voluntary and private sector. We want our children and young people to be and feel well cared for and supported so they are happy, healthy, confident and successful adults.

Our commitment to children and young people in care in Kent, including those children/young people placed in Kent by other local authorities is outlined in our Pledge to children and young people in care and preparing to leave care.