The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Leicestershire County Council met on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, to discuss the council's financial strategy, departmental plans, school place provision, and performance reports. Key topics included the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2026-2030, the draft Children and Family Services Departmental Plan for 2026-2029, and the School Places Strategy for 2026-2031. The committee also reviewed the Quarter 2 2025/26 performance report for the Children and Family Services Department.

Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 – 2029/30

The committee was scheduled to consider the proposed Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the Children and Family Services (CFS) Department. This strategy outlines the financial plans for the department from 2026/27 to 2029/30. The report highlighted a projected funding gap that would need to be balanced, with significant growth anticipated in demand for children's social care services. The strategy detailed proposed revenue budgets, including significant growth areas such as social care placements, front-line social care staff, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), the disabled children's service, and transport needs related to the expansion of Oakfield School. It also outlined proposed savings through efficiency measures and smarter commissioning. The capital programme for CFS was also presented, focusing on additional school places and SEND provision.

Draft Children and Family Services Departmental Plan 2026-2029

The committee was set to review the draft Children and Family Services Departmental Plan for 2026-2029. This plan aims to set out the department's vision, priorities, and ambitions for improving outcomes for children, young people, and families in Leicestershire. The plan is structured around three key ambitions: Build Strong Foundations, Be Safe and Belong, and Enjoy and Achieve, each supported by specific priorities. The plan also detailed how the department would work with children and families, focusing on voice and belonging, and outlined underpinning strategies and values.

School Places Strategy 2026–2031

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the draft School Places Strategy for 2026–2031. This strategy details how the council intends to fulfil its statutory duty to ensure sufficient, high-quality school places across all phases, including mainstream, SEND, and alternative provision. The report discussed the changing educational landscape, including academisation, demographic shifts, housing growth, and the increasing demand for SEND places. It outlined the council's commissioning role, funding sources, and forecasting methods for identifying future needs. The strategy also addressed the potential reorganisation of schools and detailed the processes for consultation and decision-making. The report included extensive data on primary and secondary school planning areas, pupil forecasts, and school performance.

Quarter 2 2025/26 Performance Report

The committee was to receive an update on the Children and Family Services Department's performance for July to September 2025 (Quarter 2). The report provided performance data against priority areas identified in the Departmental Plan, including metrics related to children's safety and stability, family resilience, early years provision, educational attainment, and youth justice. The report included quartile positions where national benchmarks were available, highlighting areas of strength and areas requiring further focus. Specific data points covered the percentage of children subject to child protection plans, re-referrals to social care, assessments completed within timescales, care leavers in suitable accommodation and in education, employment, or training, and dental and health assessments for children in care. Performance in early years, school inspections, Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4 outcomes, and the number of children electively home-educated were also scheduled for review.