The Together for Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss a range of important topics concerning the well-being and development of children and young people in Cornwall. Key areas of focus included early years provision, educational strategies, children's health, and safeguarding measures.

Best Start in Life and Early Years

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on Cornwall's progress in delivering the Best Start in Life agenda, a strategy aimed at improving long-term health, well-being, and achievement for children. This initiative aligns with national priorities and local objectives to strengthen early intervention, foster developmental outcomes, and reduce inequalities. The report highlighted the critical importance of the first 1,001 days of a child's life and outlined current positions, challenges such as child poverty and rural isolation, and opportunities for development, including the expansion of Family Hubs and digital support for parents. Recommendations were made to seek the committee's views on how to effectively deliver this agenda and enhance strategies for early intervention.

Cornwall Education Partnership Strategy

A draft of the Cornwall Education Strategy was presented for the committee's comment. This system-led framework aims to improve outcomes across all educational phases in Cornwall, addressing potential fragmentation in a highly academised system. The strategy, developed through the Cornwall Education Partnership (CEP), focuses on five key strands: high attainment and world-class opportunities, closing gaps for vulnerable learners, belonging and inclusion, effective systems and sustainable funding, and high-quality professional development. The committee was asked to comment on the draft strategy before its public consultation and subsequent endorsement by Cabinet.

Key Stage 2 Education Attainment

The committee was scheduled to review the provisional performance outcomes for children in Cornwall at the end of Key Stage 2 for the academic year 2024-2025. This report detailed attainment data in reading, writing, and mathematics, comparing local results to national averages and highlighting areas of strength and those requiring continued development. The data was intended to support the Council's business plan and the Cornwall Education Partnership's focus on strategic school improvement, particularly in mathematics and for disadvantaged learners and those with SEND.

Oral Health Promotion for Children and Young People

A report was scheduled to provide an overview of current preventative oral health programmes for children and young people in Cornwall. The discussion was expected to cover initiatives such as First Dental Steps, The Big Brush Club, and Smarter Smiles, which aim to address the significant public health concern of tooth decay, particularly in deprived areas. The report highlighted the shift from treatment to prevention and sought to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, including funding, workforce capacity, and integration with wider health strategies.

Right On Survey - Action Plan

The committee was to consider the findings of the Right On Survey, a biennial Cornwall-wide survey designed to gather the views and experiences of children and young people on various aspects of their lives, including health, education, and community. The survey aims to ensure children's rights, as outlined in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), are upheld by considering their views in decision-making. The report recommended that the committee consider the survey data and how it can inform their work programme and decision-making, and that reference to this data be sought in future reports.