The People Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Shropshire Council was scheduled to discuss performance reports for Children's Services and Care and Wellbeing, alongside updates on the Ofsted thematic visit and the Local SEND Reform Plan. The meeting also included a review of the committee's work programme.

Children's Services Quarter 1 Performance Report and National Local Outcomes Performance Framework Scorecard

The committee was scheduled to receive the Children's Services Quarter 1 Performance Report and the National Local Outcomes Performance Framework Scorecard. This report, which includes the Children's Services Analysis Tool (ChAT) dated 18 June 2026, provides an overview of performance and activity across children's social care. The analysis indicated that core statutory practice and safeguarding performance were being sustained into Quarter 1, with assessments completed within 45 working days at 87% and children seen during assessment at 98%. However, the report also highlighted ongoing system pressures driven by demand, complexity, and challenges with placement sufficiency. Key areas for scrutiny included demand management through early help, the quality and timeliness of safeguarding practice, the effectiveness of plans for children in need and those subject to child protection plans, progress in reducing the number of children looked after, placement sufficiency, care leaver outcomes, health and dental compliance for children looked after, and workforce capacity. The report proposed a member-facing framework for future reporting, aligned with the Local Outcomes Framework.

Ofsted - Shropshire Area Thematic Visit

An update was scheduled regarding the Ofsted - Shropshire Area Thematic Visit. This visit, conducted under a section 118(2) request from the Department for Education with assistance from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), focused on the special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) local offer in Shropshire. The purpose was to aggregate insights into how local area partnerships develop and review their SEND local offer, identify opportunities for improvement, and contribute to a national report. The visit examined how the local area partnership understands the needs of children and young people with SEND, its strategic oversight and delivery of services outlined in the Local Offer, how parents, carers, children, and young people are involved in developing the Local Offer, and the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND and their families when accessing services.

The Local SEND Reform Plan

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Local SEND Reform Plan. This plan outlines Shropshire's approach to implementing national SEND reforms, building on the existing Shropshire SEND and AP Strategy and Outcomes Framework. The three-year programme aims to create a more inclusive, timely, locally responsive, and sustainable system for children and young people aged 0-25 with SEND. Key goals include improving outcomes for children and young people, strengthening mainstream inclusion and local capacity, increasing confidence and positive experiences for families, embedding effective partnership working and co-production, and securing value for money and long-term financial sustainability. The plan details strategies for workforce development, co-production, and financial management, with specific target metrics for areas such as EHCP timeliness, waiting list times for services, attendance, and the use of independent non-maintained special schools (INMSS).

Quarterly Performance Monitoring Report – Care and Wellbeing

A Quarterly Performance Monitoring Report for Care and Wellbeing was scheduled to be presented. This report focuses on adult social care activity, demand, and financial pressures. It was noted that the report was to follow due to unplanned additional workload arising from the announcement of an imminent regulatory inspection. Previous reports indicated progress in completing care package reviews and ongoing work to support individuals in making informed care decisions, manage demand, and strengthen financial controls.

Work Programme

A verbal update on the work programme of the Committee was scheduled. This update would likely cover planned future scrutiny activities and priorities for the committee. The report pack indicated that a strategic work-programming session was planned for June, bringing together non-executive Members and senior officers to consider key issues and priorities for the next 12–24 months. This approach aims to support better coordination across Scrutiny Committees and align work programmes with the Council's Corporate Plan.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

The committee was scheduled to consider the minutes of its previous meetings held on 22 April and 14 May 2026.

Public Questions and Member Questions

The agenda also included provisions for receiving questions from members of the public and from Members of the Council, with deadlines for submission having passed prior to the meeting.

Date of Next Meeting

Members were to note that the next meeting of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled for Wednesday, 21 October 2026.