Labour Group accuse Conservatives of putting vulnerable children at risk

Conservative-controlled Hillingdon Council have abolished the Corporate Parenting Board, a decision that was taken at the Council AGM that took place earlier this month. The Labour Group had submitted an amendment to the proposals to retain the Corporate Parenting Board as it was.

Documentary evidence has been brought to the attention of the Hillingdon Labour Group proving that there was no plan to provide a replacement structure – which is putting children in care at risk. As a local authority, Hillingdon and its Councillors have a responsibility and duty as corporate parents, which the Labour Group are now accusing the Conservatives of failing on.

Today, Tony Eginton, Labour Lead on the Social Care, Housing and Public Health Policy Overview Committee, said:

“The crucial role of corporate parents is to help children in care and those leaving care to achieve as much as they would want for our own children. To do so, the children need sustained support and active encouragement to reach their full potential. Listening to and acting on the views of children in care is key to supporting them.

“Abolishing the Board and not having any replacement is unfair to the hundreds of vulnerable children for whom the council is responsible. It also seems clear that the children were not asked about their views.”

Hillingdon Labour Party believes that this is exactly the wrong decision by the Tories; acting without considering the effects on people they are responsible for.