Havering's Corporate Parenting Strategy

Between July and September 2025, we invited residents and partners to share their views on Havering’s Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025–28 and to help us ensure the strategy genuinely reflects the needs, priorities, and aspirations of children in care and care experienced young people, supporting meaningful improvements in the services they receive. 

The Corporate Parenting Strategy outlines how the London Borough of Havering will fulfil its responsibilities as a corporate parent over the next three years. It builds on the foundations of the Happy, Healthy Lives plan and is shaped by the voices, lived experiences, and ambitions of our children in care and care experienced young people.

We received 21 responses to the consultation. 

• Almost half (48%) of responses were from those who work with or support children and young people. 

• Promise 1: The majority (90%) of respondents agreed that “We’ll help you stay healthy, support your mental wellbeing, and make sure your health needs are met” should be a priority. 43% felt it was clear what actions the Council and professionals will take to support children and young people in care and those with care experience.  

• Promise 2: The majority (90%) of respondents agreed that “We’ll cheer you on at school, help you plan for your future, and give you chances to try new things” should be a priority. 43% felt it was clear what actions the Council and professionals will take to support children and young people in care and those with care experience.  

• Promise 3: The majority (90%) of respondents agreed that “We’ll work with others to keep you safe at home, in school, and in your community” should be a priority. 48% felt it was clear what actions the Council and professionals will take to support children and young people in care and those with care experience.  

• Promise 4: All respondents (100%) agreed that “We'll ensure your voice matters. We’ll listen, involve you in decisions, and support you to speak up” should be a priority. 52% felt it was clear what actions the Council and professionals will take to support children and young people in care and those with care experience.  

• Promise 5: The majority (86%) of respondents agreed that “We’ll celebrate who you are and make sure everyone is treated with respect and kindness” should be a priority. 48% felt it was clear what actions the Council and professionals will take to support children and young people in care and those with care experience.  

Overall, the consultation responses suggest that the priorities and promises outlined within the strategy are the right ones; however, clarity around the action being taken by the Council and professionals was felt to be lower and some respondents reported that it was difficult to know how the priorities would be delivered without an underpinning action plan being made available alongside the strategy.  

Havering's Cabinet met on 12 November 2025 and approved the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-28. 

It was noted that the Corporate Parenting Panel will: 

• Monitor the delivery of the strategy and associated action plan.  

• Monitor progress through key performance indicators and qualitative feedback, with updates to be shared with stakeholders, including children and young people, by officers in the Starting Well directorate. 

And that: 

• Directed officers to carry out an internal review of the strategy for late 2027, and to make any interim revisions to the action plan as needed to ensure continued relevance and impact. 

Please see the full Public Document Pack Here which includes the finalised Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-28, the Consultation Comments, the Cabinet Report with consultation analysis, and any other appendices.