The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 4 November 2025 in the Sparkenhoe Committee Room, County Hall, Glenfield. The agenda included reviewing minutes from a prior meeting, a question time, and several reports from the Director of Children and Family Services concerning the work of the Children and Family Services Department. The committee was also expected to discuss inclusion in schools, responses to child criminal exploitation, adoption services, fostering, and the annual report of the Virtual School.

Children and Family Services Department Overview

The committee was scheduled to consider a report providing an overview of the work of the Children and Family Services Department. The report outlined the department's vision for Leicestershire as the best place for children, young people and their families, and its mission to ensure children are safe and able to achieve their potential. It also detailed the statutory framework guiding the department's work, including the roles and responsibilities of the Director of Children and Family Services and the Lead Member for Children's Services, as defined in the Children Act 2004. The report pack included a structure of the Children and Family Services Department as of November 2025.

Inclusion in Leicestershire Schools

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report providing an overview of the functions of the Inclusion Service. The report referred to previous discussions by the committee on the topic of inclusion, and on pupils missing education. It noted that Ofsted had previously defined pupils missing out on education as children of compulsory school age not accessing full-time education, whether in school or alternative provision. The report also summarised the local authority's statutory duties and parental requirements regarding education, referencing the Education Act 1996 and Section 175 of the Education Act 2002, which requires local authorities to safeguard and promote children's welfare. The report included data on children missing education, pupils missing education, exclusions, children with medical needs, young people not in employment, education or training, and electively home-educated children.

Leicestershire’s Response to Tackling Child Criminal Exploitation

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of the work and progress of the Child Exploitation, Missing and Modern Slavery Hub. The report stated that tackling Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) remained a strategic priority for Leicestershire County Council. The report mentioned the multi-agency approach within the Vulnerability Hub, located at South Wigston Police Station, and the Daily Risk Management Meeting (DRMM) where incidents of suspected exploitation or missing children are reviewed. It also noted the fortnightly Operational Review Meeting (FORM) to review safeguarding responses for high-risk exploited children. The report referenced a 2024 Ofsted inspection that gave positive feedback on the multi-agency approach to combating child exploitation. The report detailed activities undertaken for Child Exploitation Awareness Day and the implementation of Harm Outside the Home (HoTH) meetings, guided by the work of Carlene Firmin. The report included data on Child Sexual Exploitation referrals and outcomes, Child Criminal Exploitation referrals and outcomes, and missing children.

Leicestershire Adoption Agency Statutory Report 2024-2025

The committee was scheduled to discuss the annual report for Leicestershire's Adoption Agency, covering the period from March 2024 to March 2025. The report stated that Leicestershire County Council is responsible for a Local Authority Adoption Agency that provides high quality adoptive placements, adoption and special guardianship support, and other permanency options. The report mentioned that Leicestershire County Council is part of Family Adoption Links (FAL), a regional partnership of Adoption Services. The report outlined the vision of the Partnership, including providing a wide range of adopters, delivering the best quality outcomes for children, and ensuring consistent, high-quality service for adopters. The report included key performance indicators such as the average time between a child entering care and moving in with their adoptive family, and the average time between a local authority receiving the court judgement and deciding on a match to an adoptive family. The report highlighted achievements such as being part of Family Adoption Links, promoting Staying in Touch, and receiving positive comments from Ofsted inspectors. The report also included data on adopter recruitment, permanency planning for children, and the Adoption Support Fund. The report listed targets and priorities for 2025/26, including continuing to work with the Regional Adoption Agency, focusing on key performance indicators, and developing the service offered to birth parents.

Fostering Annual Report 2024-25

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Fostering Annual Report for 2024-25. The report stated that Leicestershire County Council is responsible for a Local Authority Fostering Service, involving the recruitment and retention of foster carers. The report outlined the key areas supported within the service, including recruitment, assessment, post-approval support, and kinship care assessments. The report highlighted achievements such as approving mainstream and specialist foster carers, approving new Supported Lodgings Hosts, and recruiting Independent Visitors. The report mentioned the second 'Fostival' event for foster carers, Supported Lodgings Hosts and Independent Visitors. The report noted that placement stability remained high, and a Dedicated Placement Support Team (DPST) worked closely with children and carers to maintain placements. The report stated that an early emphasis on permanency had decreased Court Ordered Placements and increased Kinship Care Viability Assessments. The report noted that nationally, foster carer recruitment continued to decline, but Leicestershire had a high conversion rate of prospective carers going through from inquiry to approval. The report listed targets and priorities for 2025/2026, including intensive recruitment campaigns, completing focused audits on the voice of the child, and developing trauma-informed practice.

Annual Report of the Virtual School 2024- 2025

The committee was scheduled to discuss the annual report of the Virtual School (VS) for the academic year 2024-2025. The report stated that the Children Act 1989 places a duty on the Local Authority to promote the educational achievement of children looked after by them, wherever they live or are educated, through the Virtual School Head (VSH). The report mentioned that the Virtual School also provides support and advice for children previously in care and those who have been adopted and under special guardianship, and that this has now been extended to include those in Kinship care. The report listed the service's priorities for the last academic year, including raising aspirations, narrowing progress and attainment gaps, and improving stakeholders' understanding of the educational needs of children in care. The report highlighted what's working well, including data presentation, Personal Education Plans (PEPs), Pupil Premium Plus (PPP), and attainment. The report noted a significant gap in attainment for VS young people, with an increase in suspensions and exclusions. The report mentioned the increasing number of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) and the challenges in providing them with appropriate education. The report highlighted achievements and participation, including access to a wider curriculum offer and children's voice work. The report listed key challenges, including the rise in the number of UASC and the continued use of suspension across schools. The report outlined future plans and developments, including involvement in the SEN investment fund and a pilot in supporting schools to set up nurture provisions. The report included data on children in care, Personal Education Plans, Pupil Premium Plus, attainment, attendance, suspensions, and UASC.