The council’s new reunification team is already making a real difference, helping eight children in care to return home safely since its launch in November 2025.
The team works closely with social workers and other professionals to help parents achieve and sustain meaningful change in their lives, allowing them to be reunited with their children.
The support is tailored to each family’s individual circumstances, covering both practical areas and relationships. This can include help with establishing consistent routines, engaging with education and planning for school holidays. The team can also support parents to rebuild connections with wider family members where appropriate.
The children supported come from a wide range of care settings, including residential care, foster care, kinship arrangements and independent placements.
Cllr Natalie Oliver, executive member for children’s services, said: “At the heart of these successes is the commitment and determination of the parents, who’ve worked hard to turn things around.
“It’s fantastic to see how proactively they’ve engaged with our new team to develop more positive parenting approaches and build the stable environment needed for their children to come home safely.
“Two of the reunited families have already had their care orders discharged by the courts, underlining their confidence in the new family arrangements.
“And our children’s services team remain on hand to support them, ensuring the best possible outcomes.
“The positive progress is continuing into 2026/27, with another child already safely reunited with their family. I’m sure many more successes will follow.”