Together for Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 19 November 2025

The meeting began with the Chair acknowledging the resignations of Councillors Clemens and Knight from the Together for Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The minutes of the previous meeting on 1 October 2025 were moved, seconded and resolved to be signed by the Chair. No declarations of interest or public questions were recorded.

The Cabinet Member provided updates on a range of children‑related matters. Clarification was given that the recent Health and Adult Overview and Scrutiny Committee on children’s dentistry produced no definitive outcomes, and that oral‑health will be added to the Committee’s work programme for January 2026 with an invitation to attend the Health and Adults committee. A property for children in care has been secured; all budgetary and operational costs have been accounted for and a public decision will be taken at the next Individual Decision Day. The Cabinet Member also confirmed that no additional funding will be received from the F40 Group meeting, that a letter of concern will be sent to the Minister, and that briefings on Family Help Teams, the Chat Play Read literacy initiative, Care for Change sessions and the £677 000 Youth Work Pilot will be circulated. The Bosvenna School visit was described as inspirational, highlighting its SEMH provision and community links.

The Committee approved the mid‑year review of its work programme, adopting the amended version set out in Appendix 1 and confirming that any further amendments will be coordinated by the Chairman, Vice‑Chairman, Senior Responsible Officer and Democratic Services Lead. The Service Director for Children’s Services reported on the July 2024 Ofsted inspection (rated “Good”) and on progress against four improvement areas: timeliness of strategy discussions, public‑law outline processes, unregistered care placements and budget pressures. Overspend was attributed to rising demand and case complexity; the Director emphasized the need for continued early‑intervention funding and noted that a detailed analysis had been shared with the Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Head of Children in Care and Care Leavers Services outlined corporate parenting responsibilities and recent initiatives for care leavers, including free bus travel, priority housing and employment support. The Committee discussed the significance of designating “care‑experienced” as the tenth protected characteristic, the role of councillors in advocacy, and the operational impact of the new designation, for which no major legal or procedural issues were reported.

Updates on education and safeguarding were presented by the Service Directors for Education and Community Health. The SEND Transformation Plan was reviewed, noting improvements in case‑management systems, staffing of SENCOs, and a “grow‑your‑own” recruitment strategy for educational psychologists; challenges remain around national shortages and 20‑week EHCP targets. Safeguarding within Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) was strengthened through revised commissioning guidance, mandatory multi‑agency training and a new safeguarding policy with regular audits. Finally, a report on school exclusions highlighted a rise in permanent exclusions, especially among disadvantaged pupils with SEND needs, and set out strategic responses including Early Intervention Inclusion Teams and Area Inclusion Panels. The Strategic Director for Together for Families reported on the restructured Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, noting new leadership, enhanced collaboration with education, and a focus on the safeguarding implications of school exclusions and their potential link to community safety.