2.1 Explain the responsibilities of a: • corporate parent • professional carer

This guide will help you answer 2.1 Explain the responsibilities of a: • corporate parent • professional carer.

Children and young people who are looked after depend on adults and organisations to act in their best interests. Both corporate parents and professional carers play key roles in making sure these children are safe, supported and given the same opportunities as others. This guide explains the responsibilities of each role and how they work together to promote the wellbeing, development and future outcomes of children in care.

Responsibilities of a Corporate Parent

A corporate parent is an organisation or group of individuals within a local authority who have a collective responsibility to care for children and young people who are looked after by that authority. The role is set out in law to make sure children in care receive the same commitment, protection and opportunities that a good parent would provide for their own child.

Corporate parenting covers all actions, decisions and attitudes shown by the council and partner agencies when supporting a child in care or care leaver. It is about treating the welfare of the child as a top priority.

Providing a Safe Environment

A corporate parent must make sure children live in safe placements. This means checking that foster homes, residential homes and supported accommodation meet required standards. The aim is to provide stability so children can feel secure.

Safety checks cover matters such as:

Physical safety of the premises
Fire safety measures
Safe handling of food and medicines

Meeting Health Needs

A corporate parent must arrange for health assessments and make sure looked after children receive medical and dental care. This includes mental health support if the child needs it. The organisation acts to remove barriers that could delay or prevent treatment.

Actions may include:

Arranging initial and annual health checks
Liaising with GPs, dentists and mental health services
Supporting attendance at medical appointments

Supporting Education

Education is a major responsibility. A corporate parent must make sure children and young people have access to quality schooling and training. It must promote high achievement. Staff should challenge low expectations and help the child reach their full learning potential.

Key tasks involve:

Working with schools and teachers
Encouraging regular attendance
Providing extra tuition when required

Promoting Wellbeing

Children in care need emotional and social support. A corporate parent should help them build positive relationships and stay connected to friends, family members and community networks when safe to do so. They should promote hobbies and activities that help the young person develop confidence.

This can mean:

Supporting clubs, sports and creative activities
Arranging counselling sessions
Celebrating achievements and milestones

Listening to the Child’s Voice

One of the most important duties is to involve children and young people in decisions about their lives. A corporate parent must listen, take account of their wishes and feelings, and explain any choices made. This helps the child feel respected and valued.

Ways to do this:

Regular review meetings with the child present
Independent advocacy support
Feedback questionnaires and forums

Preparing for Adulthood

Corporate parenting continues until the young person is independent and able to support themselves. For care leavers, support might last up to age 25 in England. Preparing for adulthood means helping with skills such as budgeting, finding work, and securing safe housing.

Support often includes:

Pathway planning with the young person
Job search help and training opportunities
Assistance with finding and managing a tenancy

Responsibilities of a Professional Carer

A professional carer is an individual who works directly with children and young people in a care setting such as foster care, residential care or supported living. They may be paid foster carers, residential support workers or specialist carers in education or health settings. Their role requires daily contact and practical care.

Providing Day-to-Day Care

A professional carer meets the child’s daily needs for food, clothing, shelter, health care and supervision. This work requires consistency and reliability so that the child feels safe and cared for.

Examples of daily care tasks:

Preparing meals
Helping with bathing and personal hygiene
Supervising play and homework

Building Trusting Relationships

Children in care may have experienced trauma, neglect or loss. Professional carers must work to build trust through kindness, patience and honesty. This involves being present, listening and respecting boundaries.

Approaches that help build trust:

Using positive communication
Keeping promises and being reliable
Offering choices wherever possible

Supporting Emotional Health

A professional carer notices changes in the child’s mood or behaviour and offers appropriate support. They may refer to specialist services if required. They help the child develop coping strategies and resilience.

Support methods include:

Talking through feelings
Using behaviour management techniques constructively
Encouraging creative outlets like art or music

Encouraging Education

Professional carers play a key role in supporting learning. They need to make sure the child attends school or training, completes homework and understands the value of education for their future.

Key actions:

Attending parent-teacher meetings
Helping with homework
Celebrating school achievements

Promoting Social Interaction

Children benefit from positive friendships and community involvement. Professional carers encourage safe social contact and teach social skills. This helps children belong and avoid isolation.

Steps can include:

Organising play dates or group activities
Supporting attendance at clubs or youth groups
Encouraging involvement in community events

Maintaining Records and Reports

Professional carers have a duty to record significant events, progress and any concerns. Records help other professionals understand the child’s needs and experiences. Accurate documentation is part of safeguarding.

Information to record might include:

Health changes
School progress
Incidents of challenging behaviour

Following Policies and Procedures

Carers must follow organisational and legal requirements. These cover safeguarding, confidentiality, behaviour management and health and safety. Training is needed to keep up to date with changes.

Policies cover areas such as:

Safeguarding protocols
Data protection rules
First aid procedures

Working with Other Professionals

Professional carers are part of a wider team. This could include social workers, teachers, health practitioners and therapists. Good communication and cooperation help keep care consistent and effective.

This teamwork involves:

Sharing relevant information promptly
Attending multi-agency meetings
Following agreed plans

Differences and Shared Responsibilities

Corporate parents hold strategic responsibility. Professional carers hold practical, daily responsibility. Both roles aim to give children the same care and opportunities as their peers in safe families.

Shared objectives include:

Keeping children safe from harm
Supporting health and education
Listening to the child and valuing their views
Preparing them for a positive future

The main difference is scale and position. Corporate parenting is a collective legal duty of the organisation. Professional caring is a direct role carried out by individuals with daily contact. Both need to work together closely for the child’s benefit.

Final Thoughts

Children and young people who are looked after often face challenges. The combined effort of corporate parents and professional carers can make a huge difference in their lives. Each role brings unique responsibilities, but both are focused on promoting safety, stability and development.

When these responsibilities are carried out fully, children in care have the chance to feel valued, supported and hopeful about their future. A culture of respect, listening and action from both corporate parents and professional carers gives these young people the same opportunities as any other child and helps build strong foundations for adult life.