URL: https://iow.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=780

Decision Maker: Children's Services, Education and Skills Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Strategic Director for Children’s Services provided the committee with an update of current highlights and challenges within the directorate.   Highlights included:   ·       A focus on earlier needs identification of families to prevent escalation in order to reduce the number of Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs), Child Protection Plans (CPPs) and children in care. ·       A focus across the directorate to improve school attendance. ·       The continued progress on Corporate Parenting work. ·       People across the directorate, council and wider community working well together.   The highlighted challenges were:   ·       The needs of children and families remained high. There was still a high number of requests for EHCPs and the number of CPPs remained high. ·       These numbers would not change and reduce soon due to a number of factors including cost of living, unstable housing, adult mental health, substance misuse, and domestic abuse. ·       Homes for children. ·       Financial overspend due to home to school transport, agency social workers and the cost of providing homes for children.   The committee had a further discussion about the importance of adult learning in supporting vulnerable parents and improving aspirations for themselves and their children. It was shared that a paper on adult learning would come to the next committee meeting.   The Service Director for Children’s Social Care provided a brief update to the committee on the government’s Social Care Reforms. It was agreed that a paper would be brought to a future meeting.   RESOLVED   i)                 THAT the Committee note the operational and financial performance of the Children’s Services Directorate.   ii)               THAT the Committee agree the current Directorate priorities and   iii)              THAT the Committee delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services to draft the relevant section of a revised corporate plan.

Date of Decision: October 2, 2025