The Councillor's Role

What do Councillors Do?

Councillors are elected by the people and are accountable for the services provided by the Council. For each service there is a committee of Councillors who are responsible for a particular service, e.g. Social Services Department. There are also a small group of Councillors who meet regularly with the head of Children's Services to make sure the service is run well - it is called the Children's Board.

Councillors and Foster Children

For foster children, the Council shares parental responsibility for their care with their own parents.

The government is trying to improve the way that Children's Services cares for foster children, this includes developing better choices for care in families, but also encourages Councillors to ensure foster children get the same chances in life as other children.

Councillors value the contribution foster families make.

Councillors want to know more about children who are cared for by foster families. They want to know about successes in foster care but also why foster care does not work for some children. This will help them plan better services for the future. There will be a meeting each year where you as a carer can meet the Councillors and share your experiences about what children and young people need.

Councillors want foster children to know that they are interested in their successes and want to understand the difficulties they have from time to time. It is important, particularly for older children and young people, that they understand Councillors' interest in ensuring that they have the same life chances as others.

A leaflet for children who live in foster homes and children's homes has been prepared.  It is important you sit down with the child or young person and make sure they have understood what it says. Help him or her fill in the name of his/her Councillor(s). If you live in a different area to where the child or young person comes from, fill in the names of both Councillors. If you live outside the area you only need to fill in the name of the Council or where the child or young person comes from. 

Ask your Fostering Officer or the child's Social Worker for help with any questions you can't answer.