The People Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Shropshire Council met on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, to review performance in care and wellbeing, children's services, and the Shropshire Safeguarding Children Partnership's annual report. Key discussions included the management of care package reviews, financial pressures within adult social care, the demand and cost drivers in children's services, and the effectiveness of multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.

Performance Monitoring Report – Quarter 4 2025/26 - Care and Wellbeing

The committee received an update on the Care and Wellbeing services, which are operating in a complex environment shaped by demand, increasing complexity of need, and financial pressures. The report highlighted progress in managing care package reviews, with 84% of individuals with overdue reviews still receiving commissioned care, ensuring ongoing oversight. A risk-based approach is being used to prioritise reviews, with higher-risk cases and safeguarding concerns addressed first. The council is also working to manage financial pressures arising from residents' capital reducing below the threshold for council-funded care, with an estimated £5 million cost for capital reduction referrals in 2025/26. A revised approach to Deferred Payment Agreements (DPAs) has been implemented to strengthen governance, consistency, and financial sustainability. The report also detailed the ongoing public consultation on the future of in-house day services, with feedback being analysed to inform future recommendations.

Year End 25/26 Performance Report - Children's Services

The committee reviewed the year-end performance report for Children's Services, which indicated sustained improvement following the 2025 Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS). The number of Children Looked After (CLA) has reduced to 666, down from a recent high of 717, a trend attributed to strengthened permanence planning and improved management oversight. However, significant financial pressures persist, primarily driven by the complexity of the CLA cohort and the high cost of residential care, particularly externally commissioned provision. The council is implementing a coordinated improvement programme focused on strengthening care planning, increasing family-based provision, and enhancing financial oversight. The report also highlighted that 16% of CLA are aged four and under, and that 3.5% are under one year old, with care proceedings initiated for these very young children often leading to adoption or other permanence arrangements. The service is also working to increase internal sufficiency in fostering and residential care to reduce reliance on external providers.

Shropshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report 2024/25

The committee received an update on the Shropshire Safeguarding Children Partnership's (SSCP) Annual Report for 2024/25. The report detailed how safeguarding partners have worked together to safeguard children, with a focus on implementing national reforms, strengthening multi-agency arrangements, and improving outcomes for children and families. Key achievements include the establishment of new governance structures, a comprehensive Independent Case Review Diagnostic, and the transformation of early help services, which has led to earlier support for families and a reduction in unnecessary escalations to statutory services. The partnership is also reviewing its threshold document to align with new guidance on a needs-led Family Help system. The report highlighted ongoing work on priority areas such as child sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and detailed multi-agency training delivered across the county.

Update from the SEND Transport Task and Finish Group

Councillor Andy Davis provided a verbal update on the progress of the SEND Transport Task and Finish Group.

Work Programme

Sophie Foster, Overview and Scrutiny Officer, provided a verbal update on the committee's work programme.

The meeting concluded with a reminder of the date of the next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, 1st July 2026.