The Children and Families Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to review several annual reports concerning children's services. These include reports on the Virtual School, the Independent Review Officer (IRO), and children's social care complaints. The committee will also consider a broader scrutiny report.

Virtual School Annual Report

A key item on the agenda is the review of the Virtual School Annual Report for 2024-2025. The Virtual School is responsible for ensuring that children in care¹ receive a good education, regardless of their circumstances. This report is expected to detail the educational progress and support provided to these vulnerable children.

Independent Review Officer (IRO) Annual Report

The committee is also set to examine the Independent Review Officer (IRO) Annual Report for 2024-2025. The IRO plays a crucial role in the care planning process for children in local authority care, ensuring their welfare and rights are upheld. The report will likely outline the IRO's activities and findings over the past year.

Children's Social Care Annual Complaints Report

Another significant item for discussion is the Children's Social Care Annual Complaints Report for 2024-25. This report will provide an overview of any complaints received regarding the council's children's social care services, detailing the nature of these complaints and how they were addressed.

The Scrutiny Report

The committee will also consider The Scrutiny Report . This document is expected to provide a comprehensive overview of the committee's work and findings over a specific period, potentially highlighting key areas of focus and recommendations for improvement within children's services.