Publications

A child’s earliest years are their foundation; if we give them a great start, they have a much better chance of fulfilling their potential as they grow up. This resource pack looks at the responsibilities and role of councils when it comes to education and childcare, outlines funding entitlements and legislation all of which are incredibly important when it comes to supporting our youngest residents.

This resource pack gives councillors an overview of the key legislative and policy issues regarding placements for children in care. The resource explores good practice, key issues and things to look at in local areas to try to improve the sufficiency and quality of placements, so that every child can live in the best possible home.

Every councillor has a role to play in embedding corporate parenting principles and doing all they can to support children in care to live meaningful and fulfilling lives. This resource pack helps provide an overview of this role and how they can fulfil it as effectively as possible.

Councils have a statutory duty to “secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people” and to make sure young people have a say in the local offer. This is often referred to as the ’youth services duty’.