Together for Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 14 January 2026

**Resolution of Minutes and Cabinet Update**

The meeting opened with no declarations of interest. Councillor Gow moved, and Councillor La Borde seconded, that the minutes of the Together for Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 19 November 2025 were correctly recorded and signed by the Chair. No public questions were raised. The Committee then noted a Cabinet Member update and recorded seven specific queries concerning outcomes measurement for children and families, value‑for‑money considerations on a newly acquired Children’s Home, progress on the proposed Perranporth school, provisions for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the scope of an outdoor programme in Newquay, and the future of special‑school provision. Responses clarified that performance is monitored via a directorate‑wide scorecard, that the Children’s Home decision was taken by an Individual Cabinet Member and documented in published papers, and that an appeal on the Perranporth school will be submitted by the end of January. The Committee was informed that mainstream inclusion remains the national policy, that any new SEND provision would be considered only where it meets identified local demand, and that the Holiday Activity and Food scheme limits the Newquay outdoor programme to children eligible for free school meals.

**Early‑Years Strategy and Integrated Services**

The Service Director for Education and Community Health presented the council’s early‑years strategy, emphasizing the importance of the conception‑to‑school‑entry period for long‑term health and educational outcomes. The strategy aligns with the NHS Ten‑Year Plan and targets 75 % of five‑year‑olds achieving a good level of development by 2028, with particular focus on disadvantaged and SEND children. Integrated delivery is provided through antenatal support, universal and targeted developmental assessments, Family Hubs, and health‑visitor‑assigned nurseries. The Service Manager for Quality Assurance highlighted the “voice of the child” principle, the Start for Life training programme, and internal “Team Insights” inspections that demonstrate positive outcomes. Discussion points included the need for guidance to parish and town councils on play‑equipment provision, the mechanisms for parental involvement in service design, and the scope of workforce training and quality‑assurance arrangements.

**Draft Cornwall Education Strategy**

The Service Director introduced the draft Cornwall Education Strategy, developed by the Cornwall Education Partnership (CEP) with input from early‑years providers, schools, multi‑academy trusts, further‑education institutions, the Diocese, and other partners. The independent Chair of the CEP reiterated the strategy’s evidence‑based, collaborative development and outlined its five strategic strands: improving outcomes for vulnerable children, enhancing county‑wide collaboration, strengthening staff recruitment and retention, ensuring evidence‑based practice, and raising Cornwall’s national profile. The Committee was invited to scrutinise the draft, provide challenges and advice, and approve a subsequent public consultation. Key discussion points included the mechanisms for sharing good practice, the role of the Council in supporting new SEND provision, and the need for continued stakeholder engagement.

**School Performance Monitoring and Academy Oversight**

The Head of Service Education and Effectiveness presented the latest statutory assessment data for Key Stage 2 (SATs) in 2024‑2025, covering reading, writing, and mathematics attainment. The Committee asked whether data could be disaggregated by ethnicity, Cornish identity, or gender; officials confirmed that further breakdowns are possible but warned against drawing conclusions from very small cohorts. It was noted that internal analyses by Cornish and other minority groups inform resource allocation, while the Council retains oversight of academies but has limited direct influence over them. Procedures for informal concern‑raising, escalation to the Regional Director, and continued public reporting of academy performance were explained. The discussion also addressed the limitations of value‑added progress measures and reaffirmed the focus on ensuring pupils meet expected standards at Key Stage 2.

**Children’s Oral Health and the “Right Now” Survey**

The Advanced Public Health Practitioner reported that tooth decay affects 30 % of five‑year‑olds in Cornwall, well above national averages, and that dental extractions remain a major cause of paediatric hospital admissions. Preventative programmes—including First Dental Steps, Supervised Toothbrushing Big Brush Club, and Smarter Smiles accreditation—are delivered in partnership with the Integrated Care Board, NHS England, health visitors, and schools, reaching over 10 000 children. Capacity constraints were acknowledged, and the Committee noted that funding is expected to continue with plans to expand services. Subsequently, the Service Director for Education and Community Health presented findings from the 2025 “Right