The Children's Scrutiny Committee of Devon Council was scheduled to meet on Monday, 16 March 2026, to discuss the SEND Transformation Programme, a visit to Exeter and East Children's Social Care Teams, and the activities of the Fostering Member Champion. The meeting agenda also included a review of the committee's work programme and any urgent matters.

SEND Transformation Programme: Strand 1 - Investing in Devon Schools by Getting the Basics Right

A key item on the agenda was the SEND Transformation Programme, with a specific focus on Strand 1: Investing in Devon Schools by Getting the Basics Right. This report, presented by the Director of Children & Young People's Futures, Julian Wooster, was scheduled to provide an update on the progress of this strand. The programme aims to improve the understanding of need and demand for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, develop commissioning strategies, and strengthen contract and financial management.

The report was expected to detail progress on several initiatives:

• SEND Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA): This assessment aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the needs of children and young people with SEND across Devon, using data analysis and insights from families and professionals. The JSNA is intended to inform future planning and a joint commissioning strategy, with a regular review cycle and data dashboard planned.
• Framework for Independent Special Schools and Alternative Provision: A new framework has been developed in collaboration with providers, practitioners, and parent carers to ensure a clear and consistent approach to commissioning independent sector and alternative provision. This framework aims to create a more transparent system linking assessment, decision-making, and review, with strengthened market oversight for independent provision and a strategic model for alternative provision focused on reintegration.
• Provision Management – Phase 2: This phase focuses on improving the management of payments to suppliers, particularly within the independent sector, by creating better links between the Education database (MRI One) and the finance system (Unit 4). An improved interface hub is being tested, and historical cases are being updated to ensure accurate data standards.
• High Needs Funding Framework: The report was scheduled to outline a refreshed framework designed to make funding decisions clearer, more consistent, and better aligned with the actual provision children and young people require. This approach is built on detailed moderation of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), costed provision, and engagement with schools and partners. Significant progress was noted in finalising and testing this framework, with 73 EHCPs moderated and provision costed.
• SEND Sufficiency Strategy and Plan: This strategy, approved in December 2025, highlights five key priority areas: strengthening mainstream inclusion with new SEN Units planned in Totnes, Exmouth, Cullompton, and Barnstaple; expanding specialist provision, including reviewing options for Cranbrook Special School and expanding Mill Water School; targeted provision for Autism, Social & Emotional Mental Health, and Speech & Language needs; increasing post-16 places with completed projects in Barnstaple and Tiverton and planned expansions in Exeter and South Devon; and financial sustainability through proposals that aim to reduce reliance on independent school placements.
• Financial Recovery work linked to Attendance: The report was expected to address severe absence for SEND pupils placed in the independent sector, identifying pupils with low attendance and potential high use of part-time timetables. The aim is to recoup funding for students where absence is prolonged and re-engagement steps have not been taken, with detailed fee recovery letters sent to two providers.

The report also touched upon the Council's Strategic Plan 2025-2029, specifically the commitment to Positive futures for our young people, and how the SEND Transformation Programme contributes to this by improving lived experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.

Children's Scrutiny Committee Visit to the Exeter and East Children's Social Care Teams

The committee was scheduled to receive a report detailing the findings from a visit undertaken by members of the Children's Scrutiny Committee to the Exeter and East Children's Social Care Teams. This visit, which took place on 7 January 2026, was part of a series of planned visits to gain first-hand insight into how services operate in practice. Councillors Frank Biederman (Chair), Sara Wilson (Vice-Chair), Mark Barry, Graham Bell, Cathy Connor, Robin Julian, Steve Lodge, and Jeffrey Trail BEM participated in the visit.

The report was expected to cover key themes that emerged from discussions with practitioners, including:

• Recruitment and Retention: Efforts to stabilise the workforce and reduce reliance on agency staffing were noted, with an opportunity to explore how this progress could support further reductions in caseloads. The success of the social work apprenticeship route was also highlighted.
• Caseloads: Practitioners reported high caseloads, though recent improvements to the duty rota were noted to have a positive impact. The long-term success of strategies to manage caseloads depends on staff retention and support for newly qualified social workers.
• Staff Wellbeing: The increasing complexity of cases, particularly concerning changes in drug use, was noted as impacting staff wellbeing. While existing support mechanisms like group supervision and Mental Health First Aid were valued, staff expressed a desire for more in-person reflective opportunities and clinical advice.
• Paperwork: An opportunity to streamline paperwork to allow more time for relationship-based practice was identified. A systems replacement project is underway to update social care case management and finance systems.
• Housing: Challenges in accessing suitable accommodation for young people with care experience were discussed, with a focus on secure and sustainable housing for their wellbeing and long-term outcomes. The report mentioned ongoing work on commissioning frameworks for 16+ accommodation and support, including the 'My Future, My Way' programme.
• Partnership Working: Practitioners highlighted positive relationships with District Councils and the need to continue strengthening partnerships with all stakeholders, including schools. The role of school nurses was specifically mentioned as an area for potential further scrutiny.

The report was intended to reinforce the value of Scrutiny Members gaining first-hand insight into frontline practice and to support the Committee's ongoing work to challenge, support, and strengthen Children's Services in line with the Council's strategic commitments.

Report of the Fostering Member Champion

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of the work undertaken by Councillor Robin Julian, who was elected as the Children's Scrutiny Committee Fostering Member Champion in November 2025. His priorities include strengthening the scrutiny of fostering services, promoting the recruitment, retention, and support of foster carers, ensuring the lived experiences of children in care and foster carers inform scrutiny and policy development, and advocating for continuous improvement and innovation in fostering practice.

The report was expected to cover:

• Training Session (December 2025): Councillor Julian met with the Interim Head of Fostering to gain an understanding of foster care and relay feedback from foster carers regarding payment and expense processes, access to information about children in their care, the importance of accessible contact information, and the need for strong support for new carers.
• Ongoing Community Engagement: Councillor Julian has continued to promote fostering within the community, hearing concerns directly from foster carers and prospective carers, which are being shared with the service. Regular meetings are planned to feedback on carer voices and understand the strategic approach to fostering.
• Foster Carer Engagement Meeting (March 2026): Councillor Julian attended a meeting where topics discussed included the need for respite care, opportunities to promote fostering through schools, support for carers of children under five, Council Tax charges and expense claims, challenges arranging meetings with social workers, communications regarding overpayments, and transport arrangements for children.

The report was also to outline Councillor Julian's commitments, including promoting fostering in schools, lobbying District Councils to simplify Council Tax reduction processes for foster carers, and attending the Hearts and Homes Conference. The work of the Fostering Champion is intended to support the Council's commitment to ensuring children and young people grow up in Stable Homes Built on Love and have access to high-quality education within their communities.

Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review its work programme, determining which items should be included for future consideration. This would involve reviewing the list of forthcoming business and potentially examining the Cabinet Forward Plan and the Children's Services Risk Register for specific items that warrant further exploration.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as apologies, declarations of interest, and the confirmation of previous minutes. There was also provision for public participation, allowing members of the public to make representations on substantive matters listed on the agenda.