The Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Durham County Council met on Tuesday 6 January 2026 to discuss a range of important topics concerning the welfare and development of children and young people in the county. Key areas of focus included the Best Start in Life agenda, updates on 0-25 Family Health Services, the progress of the Family Hubs programme, and financial forecasts for Children and Young People's Services. The committee also reviewed the latest performance management report for the second quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year.

Best Start in Life Agenda

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Best Start in Life agenda, which aims to improve health, development, and future outcomes for children in their crucial first five years. The report highlighted three priority areas: injury prevention, where hospital admissions for unintentional injuries remain above the England average, though recent reductions have been noted; breastfeeding rates, which have improved but are still significantly below the national average, with wide variations across communities; and reducing tobacco dependency in pregnancy, where the rate of smoking at the time of delivery has fallen below 10% for the first time, though inequalities persist. The report recommended that the committee note its contents and support the continued effort to give every child in County Durham the best possible start in life.

0-25 Family Health Services Update

An update was scheduled on the 0-25 Family Health Service, delivered by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) on behalf of Public Health. This service provides the nationally mandated Healthy Child Programme (HCP), offering universal and targeted support from pregnancy through to age 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND). The programme, delivered through Health Visiting and School Nursing services, ensures developmental reviews, screenings, and immunisations. The report detailed the service's structure, including five mandated and three additional universal contacts, and the Enhanced Parenting Support Pathway (EPSP). Specialist roles and teams, such as the Emotional Health and Resilience Team and the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Team, were also highlighted. The committee was asked to note the report's content.

Family Hubs Programme

The committee was set to receive an update on the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme in County Durham. Designated as a Trailblazer Authority, the county has developed a comprehensive offer through 15 Family Hubs and six outreach sites, providing a universal front door to integrated services from conception to age 19 (or 25 for those with SEND). The programme encompasses mental health support, parenting programmes, breastfeeding support, and early education initiatives. Key innovations mentioned included the Parent Carer Panel and targeted support for dads. Continued funding through to 2029 has been confirmed, positioning County Durham to lead regional collaboration. The committee was asked to note the report and presentation and provide comments.

Quarter Two 2025/2026 Forecast of Revenue and Capital Outturn

A report detailing the quarter two forecast outturn for Children and Young People's Services (CYPS) for 2025/2026 was scheduled for discussion. The forecast indicated an projected overspend of £9.524 million, representing a 5% overspend against the revised annual budget. This significant deterioration from the quarter one forecast was largely attributed to an overspend within the Children's Social Care budget, particularly concerning Children in Care (CiC) placements. The report detailed the increase in CiC numbers, especially those in residential placements, and outlined mitigation measures being implemented, such as expanding in-house residential care. The committee was recommended to note the overall revenue position.

Quarter Two 2025/2026 Performance Management Report

The committee was also scheduled to review the Quarter Two 2025/2026 Performance Management Report from the Chief Executive. This report, structured around easy to read dashboards, focuses on trends, direction of travel, benchmarking, and performance against targets, aligned with the new administration's Council Plan for 2025-2030. The report indicated strong performance across strategic ambitions, including Caring For Our People, with high demand for children's social care but good service performance and low re-referral rates. However, areas of challenge were identified, including an increase in children in care, with 1,265 children in care at the end of quarter two, and a forecast overspend of £5 million against the Children in Care placements budget. The committee was recommended to note the overall position and direction of travel and the actions being taken to address areas of challenge.