Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet member for Children and Young People is Attached

The Committee considered a report outlining the current national and local context for Children's Services, highlighting the significant reforms and challenges facing the sector. Members were reminded that the report had been circulated in advance of the meeting.

Councillor Walmsley introduced the item and invited Robert Arrowsmith and senior officers to provide an overview.

Officers advised that Children's Services are currently experiencing the most significant period of national reform in over 20 years. The reforms include major changes to SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), the Families First Partnership Programme, children's social care delivery models, children's residential care provision, and post-16 skills and youth services. These reforms sit alongside Bury's ongoing improvement journey and present both significant challenges and opportunities.

The Committee heard that SEND reform represents one of the largest national change programmes, designed to address shortcomings within the existing system. Alongside this, the Families First Partnership Programme will fundamentally change how children's social care services are delivered. Officers explained that, by April 2027, local authorities and statutory partners including health services, police and education providers will be required to implement new arrangements.

The Families First Partnership Programme brings together several strands of work. Under the new model, children and families will receive support through integrated Family Help Teams, with greater continuity of support from early help through to more specialist interventions. Services are expected to become more locality-based, moving away from historically centralised arrangements. Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams will bring together professionals from social care, health, police and education to work collaboratively with vulnerable children and families.

Members were advised that reforms to children's residential care will also have a significant impact. Greater regional collaboration is planned through Regional Care Cooperatives, with Greater Manchester operating as one of the national pathfinder areas. The intention is to improve sufficiency of placements, manage costs and deliver better outcomes for children in care.

Questions and Discussion

Councillor John Southworth asked for clarification regarding the Families First Partnership Programme.

Robert Arrowsmith explained that the programme is an umbrella for several related reforms. A key change is the removal of traditional distinctions between early help and children in need services, enabling children and families to receive support through a more integrated team approach. Family Help Teams will include a range of practitioners, including social workers and other qualified professionals, with services delivered more locally. Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams will include specialist professionals from health, police and education to ensure a coordinated response to safeguarding concerns.

Councillor Martin queried staffing levels, vacancies and savings targets, noting a lack of figures within the report.

Robert Arrowsmith advised that more than half of the Children's Services budget is spent on placements for children in care, particularly residential placements. The Regional Care Cooperative aims to help contain placement costs. The largest financial pressure continues to be the number of children requiring residential care. Officers reported recent progress in reducing numbers of children in care and noted that social worker caseloads had increased from approximately 16-17 cases per worker to around 18-19 cases as demand for services continues to rise. Balancing increasing demand with financial pressures remains one of the Council's most significant challenges.

Councillor Julie Southworth highlighted the need to improve communication and engagement with parents, particularly through the SEND Information, Advice and Support Service.

Councillor FitzGerald asked about the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) and the Council's approach to tackling this issue.

Ben Dunne advised that early intervention remains critical. Work is underway through the SEND reform programme and broader partnership arrangements to improve outcomes from early years through to post-16 education. Officers outlined plans to strengthen transitions from secondary education into employment, training and further education, including engagement with the local business sector. It was acknowledged that reducing NEET numbers is a key priority and requires coordinated action across partner organisations.

Councillor FitzGerald requested further information on this issue and suggested it be considered as a future work programme item.

Councillor Farooq asked officers what their biggest concerns were ahead of forthcoming inspections.

Wendy advised that maintaining the improvements achieved to date whilst delivering significant reform programmes represented the key challenge. Anticipated inspection activity over the next 18 months will assess both service performance and progress against SEND reforms. Continuing improvement amid increasing demand for services remains a significant concern.

Ben Dunne added that inclusion remains the central principle underpinning the SEND reform journey. Ensuring a shared understanding of inclusion across all services and communicating this effectively to parents and stakeholders will be essential to delivering successful outcomes.

Robert Arrowsmith stated that the primary challenge within children's social care is embedding the new Families First model while continuing to improve outcomes for children. This will require significant cultural and operational change across the Council and partner organisations. Inspectors will be focused on outcomes for children and families, making it essential that reforms lead to tangible service improvements.

Councillor Duncalfe asked whether appropriate systems were in place to ensure standards within children's homes.

Robert Arrowsmith explained that Ofsted is responsible for regulating and inspecting children's homes and has powers to intervene where standards are not met. He noted that there has been substantial growth in the children's residential care market across the North West, attracting placements from other areas. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is seeking to improve regulation and coordination across the region.

Councillor Walmsley commented that there can be a misconception that local authorities are solely responsible for regulating children's homes. While planning applications may come before councils, quality regulation rests with Ofsted. Councillors were encouraged to share any concerns or intelligence relating to residential provision.

Robert Arrowsmith added that market intelligence suggests there may now be an oversupply in some areas of the residential care market, particularly at the lower end, and there are signs that placement costs may be beginning to stabilise.

Councillor Boles questioned whether achieving the required culture change would prove difficult.

Ben Dunne acknowledged the challenge, noting that large-scale organisational change is inherently complex. A stronger focus on early intervention and more aligned partnership working will be necessary. Officers expressed confidence that the plans and governance arrangements currently in place provide a strong foundation for successful implementation.

The Chair thanked officers for the comprehensive overview and noted the significant scale of national reform currently affecting Children's Services.

It Was Agreed

·       The Committee noted the report and update

Actions / Future Work Programme

1. NEETs - Members requested a future report on Children not in Education Employment and Training
2. Families First Partnership Programme - Members requested further detail on implementation plans, workforce implications and expected benefits for children and families and a future meeting
3. Children's Services Capacity and Financial Pressures - Members requested future monitoring of workforce capacity, caseloads, vacancies and budgetary pressures within Children's Services.