The Durham Family Panel was scheduled to receive updates on various aspects of children's services, including Ofsted reports, the activities of the Children in Care Council, and the work of the 'Voices' Care Leavers' Network. The meeting was also set to include presentations from young people involved in the 'Experts through Experience' group.

Ofsted Updates

The panel was scheduled to receive a verbal update from the Head of Children's Social Care and the Head of Strategy, Assurance and Specialist Services regarding Ofsted inspections. The previous meeting on 16 January 2026 noted that Aycliffe Secure Centre had been inspected in December 2025, with further information to be provided upon the report's publication. Hudson House had received an Outstanding rating from a recent inspection, and a monitoring visit had taken place at Hickstead Children's Home.

Children in Care Council Update

Young people from the Children in Care Council (CiCC) were scheduled to present an update on their activities. In December 2025, the CiCC held an end-of-year Christmas get-together with carers and staff, which was attended by 52 people and described as a positive event for strengthening connections. The CiCC members were also involved in planning for Care Day 2026, a national celebration for care-experienced children and young people. The themes for Care Day 2026 were set to focus on looking to the future, celebrating the care community in Durham, and exploring aspirations. CiCC members were due to host the event on 25 February at the Radisson Hotel in Durham, where young people would share their thoughts on their futures.

'Voices' Care Leavers' Network Update

The 'Voices' Care Leavers' Network was scheduled to provide an update, presented by the Voice and Participation Practitioner, Luke Joseph. This network was established in response to feedback from care leavers who desired a dedicated space to discuss issues directly affecting them, such as housing, training, employment, and accessing personal records. The initiative aimed to reach as many young people as possible, including those in custody, with a joint approach between 'Voices' and the Care Leavers Service to interview care leavers with experience in custody. The project also involved young people meeting with police representatives to understand and shape practice. The presentation was expected to outline the group's formation, aims, objectives, and next steps, with a focus on empowering young people to strengthen their voices and build supportive networks.

Experts through Experience Presentation

Young people from the 'Experts through Experience' group were scheduled to present their findings. Their work included an investigation into Durham County Council's internally owned children's homes, visiting four selected homes: Moorside, Elderhurst, New Lea, and Hudson House. They also took children from Copeland Barns to a trampoline park. In total, 14 children were interviewed, with 12 currently living in children's homes and two who had previously lived in children's homes. They also interviewed 29 members of staff across the five homes. The group's previous achievements included leading an enquiry into young people's views on adopting care experience as a protected characteristic, which led to the adoption of a motion in January 2025. The presentation was expected to highlight the invaluable perspective of young people with experience of being in care and how their investigations aimed to ensure young people and practitioners were being supported.

Aycliffe Secure Centre and Maple House Regulation 44 Visits Update

Part B of the meeting was scheduled to consider exempt or confidential information, including an update on Regulation 44 visits to Aycliffe Secure Centre and Maple House, as reported by the Head of Strategy, Assurance, and Specialist Services. Regulation 44 visits are independent visits to children's homes to ensure the welfare of the children residing there. The report was expected to provide an overview of these visits and the regulatory body ratings for independent children's residential homes where Durham children and young people were placed. The previous meeting had noted that Aycliffe Secure Centre was inspected in December 2025.