Agenda item

The Committee considered a joint report of the Chief Executive and the Director of Children and Family Services which provided an update on the Children and Family Services Department’s performance for the period October to December 2025 (Quarter 3). A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 11’, is filed with these minutes.

The Lead Member for Children and Families emphasised that despite ongoing pressures, the Department had continued to deliver strong outcomes for children and families. He placed on record his thanks to all of the staff in the Department for their continued hard work.

Arising from discussion, the following points were raised:

(i)        A member asked a question regarding the number of young people (16-17) not in education, employment or training (NEET). The Director explained that the reasons varied considerably. Some young people had entered a new phase of education or training which had not suited them, or they had found that a course was not as expected. Others had experienced trauma or significant life events which had prevented them from continuing. It was noted that some young people became difficult to track because they were not required to report their activities to the local authority, although monitoring would usually continue until their 19th birthday. A detailed NEET report had recently been commissioned by the Department in order to better understand the issue and to enable comparison against national data. The Director agreed to provide the Committee with a report relating to NEET children and young people, at a future meeting.

(ii)       Concern was raised that only 69.8% of children in care had received a dental check‑up and 82.9% had an annual health assessment. The Director explained that achieving 100% performance in this area would never be possible because some young people chose not to attend health or dental appointments, despite encouragement. Members noted that challenges with access to dental services had arisen following COVID restrictions due to reduced availability, but significant work had been undertaken with dental practices in order to improve access. The Director outlined that the Department aimed to reach 80% performance in this area and that carers and young people were strongly encouraged to attend. A member then asked whether the data could be broken down by age group, as missed appointments for younger children would be of greater concern. The Director agreed to provide the data broken down by age‑group, at a future meeting.

(iii)      A question was asked regarding the percentage of re-referrals to Children’s Social Care within 12 months. The Director outlined that re‑referral rates were expected, and were appropriate, and that some children would reasonably be re‑referred within a 12‑month period. The Director provided assurances that the service routinely audited cases in order to distinguish between re‑referrals caused by new concerns and those resulting from earlier actions which had not fully addressed an issue. Members noted that some children were appropriately diverted to Early Help at the point of first referral but could later need to return to Social Care. Re‑referrals were closely monitored through monthly performance meetings. Repeated plans did not always indicate persistent problems and could reflect the need to respond appropriately to any new or ongoing safeguarding risks. The Director explained that families experiencing issues such as domestic abuse, parental mental‑health problems, or substance misuse often required renewed intervention. The ending of child protection plans were monitored carefully in order to ensure adequate support was in place. Members noted that some figures reflected large sibling groups affected by the same incident.

(iv)      A question was asked regarding a 12% increase in the number of children educated at home, particularly those aged 12–15. The Director stated that the reasons were mixed. In terms of the reasons behind home educating, some parents declined a school offered or preferred a different type of provision to that offered. Others felt that their child’s needs were better met through home education, particularly where the child had social, emotional or mental‑health difficulties. The Director outlined that work was being undertaken to commission additional provision for this cohort of children and to expand the inclusion service. Where parents wished for their children to return to school, places were available, and the Authority would work with them. Members noted that elective home education was an area of significant concern, with vulnerable children being at particular risk, and that stronger legislation and increased Local Authority powers would be welcomed.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the update on the Children and Family Services Department’s performance for the period October to December 2025 (Quarter 3), be noted.

(b)      That the Director of children and Family Services be requested to provide the Committee with a report relating to children and young people not in education, Employment or training (NEET), at a future meeting.

(c)       That the Director of Children and Family Services be requested to provide the Committee with age specific data relating to the percentage of children in care who had received a dental check‑up and an annual health assessment, at a future meeting.