What does 'Corporate Parenting' mean
When a child comes into care, the council becomes the Corporate Parent. Put simply, the term ‘Corporate Parent’ means the collective responsibility of the council, elected members, employees, and partner agencies, for providing the best possible care and safeguarding for the children who are looked after by us.
A child in the care of the council looks to the council to be the best parent it can be to that child. Every member and employee of the council has the statutory responsibility to act for that child in the same way that a good parent would act for their own child.
Every good parent wants the best for their child, to see their child flourish with good health, to be safe and happy, to do well at school and enjoy good relationships with their peers. To make the most of leisure opportunities, hobbies and interests, and to grow towards adulthood equipped to lead independent lives and make their way as adults in higher education, in good careers and jobs, and to be financially secure.
That’s why Hounslow council has the same goals for the children it looks after as those of every good parent, and takes seriously the moral as well as legal responsibility for enabling the children in its care to experience happy and fulfilling lives.