The Children's Select Committee met to elect a chairman and vice-chairman, and to discuss the committee's work programme. Councillor Laura Mayes was elected chairman, and Councillor Denise Bates was elected vice-chairman. The committee agreed to develop a work programme over time, and to hold a rapid scrutiny meeting regarding short breaks for children and young people with additional needs.

Developing the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme

The committee discussed how to develop its overview and scrutiny work programme, considering topics recommended by the previous committee and new priorities. Julie Bielby, Senior Scrutiny Officer, introduced a report outlining topics the previous council felt deserved ongoing scrutiny, and proposed a process for shaping the new committee's work programme.

Councillor Laura Mayes suggested additional training for committee members, particularly new members, to help them effectively scrutinise complex issues. She said:

It's hard to scrutinize what you don't understand. Um, and I think that's important for people to acknowledge, um, and not because it's not helping anyone if people haven't really got the basic knowledge.

The committee agreed to develop a work program over time, with some items scheduled for the next few months, but with capacity for other issues to be added.

Task Groups and Scrutiny Panels

The committee discussed the continuation of several task groups and scrutiny panels:

• Standing Task Group: To review regular reports within the committee's remit.
• Adoption West Joint Scrutiny Panel: A panel with representatives from six local authorities that commission Adoption West, a regional adoption agency. Councillor Ross Henning emphasised the importance of this panel, as it provides an opportunity for member engagement with the adoption process.
• Children and Young People's Mental Health Task Group: To review mental health support for children and young people.
• Residential Care and Complex Care Task Group: To review longer-term support for children with complex needs.
• Budget and Major Contracts Task Group: To review budget implementation and major contracts.
• Post-16 Education Provision: To establish a clear picture of post-16 provision available to young people.
• Youth Homelessness Rapid Scrutiny (Part 2): A follow-up to a previous scrutiny exercise.

Julie Bielby will advertise these task groups to all backbench members to gauge interest.

Special Guardianship Orders

Councillor Jacqui Lay raised the issue of special guardianship orders (SGOs), where family members take on the responsibility of a child rather than the child entering foster care or adoption. She noted that there are a significant number of SGOs in Wiltshire, and some families are incurring large expenses. Councillor Lay requested that the committee receive case studies in the report on SGOs, including examples of what is working well and what is not.

In response, Nicole Mills, Director for Families and Children, agreed to provide an overview of the cost implications and outcomes for children under SGOs, fostering, and kinship care¹. She also offered to provide a briefing to help members understand the topic.

Domestic Abuse

Councillor Mike Phillips raised the issue of signposting to services for domestic violence and abuse, suggesting that secondary school children should be made aware of available help. The committee agreed to add this as an idea to explore, potentially in collaboration with adult services.

Family First Partnerships

Darrell Freeman, Corporate Director for Children and Education, mentioned that children's social care services are undergoing reform nationally, with a requirement to introduce family first partnerships² by April next year. He suggested that the committee might like to see a proposal on this in the autumn.

Chairman's Announcements

Councillor Laura Mayes announced an item scheduled for cabinet on 8 July regarding a short breaks offer for children and young people with additional needs. The committee decided to hold a rapid scrutiny meeting on this topic, with Councillor Mayes volunteering to participate. Julie Bielby will send out a note to ask for expressions of interest from other members.

Cabinet Member Update

Councillor Jon Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children's Skills and Education, provided an update on his work, including upcoming reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and information from the government on the high needs block³. He also introduced the portfolio holders in his team:

• Sam Pearce-Kearney, Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding and Young People, who will focus on looked-after children and increasing the voice of young people.
• Stuart Barman, Portfolio Holder for Schools and Skills, who will focus on improving relationships with schools.
• Charlie Stokes, who will focus on SEND.
• Andrew Griffin, who will focus on the safety valve program.