The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday 3 June 2026 to approve the minutes of previous meetings and to discuss the committee's overview report and work programme. The committee also received an update on the previous year's activities.

Overview Report and Work Programme

The committee reviewed the Overview Report, which detailed key decisions within its remit and responses to previous recommendations. Members also agreed to the committee's work programme for the forthcoming municipal year, with further discussion to take place in a private session. A query was raised about re-establishing the Ofsted Subgroup, and it was noted that its Terms of Reference could be submitted for approval at the next meeting.

Previous Meeting Minutes

The committee approved the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2026 as an accurate record. They also received the minutes from the Ofsted Subgroup meeting on 25 February 2026.

Welcome and Acknowledgment

Councillor Sarah Wakefield, Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, welcomed attendees and expressed gratitude to Councillor E Bell for her past dedication as chair. Councillor Wakefield also acknowledged the Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People, Councillor Julie Reid, and the officers for their work, particularly highlighting Manchester's achievement of becoming a Child Friendly City and the recent outstanding Ofsted judgement for Children's Services.

End of Year Summary 2025/26

The committee received an end-of-year summary of its activities for the 2025/26 municipal year. This summary detailed the committee's scrutiny of various services and initiatives, including:

• Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Inclusion: Scrutiny of SEND and Inclusion work, with input from the Manchester Parent Carer Forum, Manchester Parent Champions, and the Integrated Care Board.
• Children's Joint Commissioning Strategy and School Places: Consideration of the Children's Joint Commissioning Strategy 2025-28 and school places.
• Children's Homes, Children's Services, and Youth Justice: Review of Regulation 44 visits to children's homes, the quality of practice in Children's Services, and work within the Youth Justice system. A joint visit with the Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Committee to Manchester's Youth Justice Service was also noted.
• Families First Partnership, Complex Safeguarding Hub, and Care Leavers: Reports on these areas were discussed.
• UNICEF UK Child Friendly City: An update on progress towards becoming a Child Friendly City, including engagement with children and young people through school visits.
• Annual Fostering Report and Youth Investment Fund: Consideration of the Annual Fostering Report and the development of new youth centres funded by the Youth Investment Fund.
• School Attendance and Best Start for Life Family Hub Programme: Scrutiny of school attendance strategies and the expansion of the Best Start for Life Family Hub Programme.
• Ofsted Inspection of Children's Services: A verbal update on the outstanding Ofsted judgement for Children's Services and a commitment to scrutinise the improvement plan for areas identified for development, such as neglect.
• Budget Proposals: Consideration of budget positions and proposals for areas within the committee's remit.
• Manchester Safeguarding Partnership Annual Report: Review of the partnership's annual report.
• Youth, Play & Participation Service Youth and Play Grant Funding Programme: Comments were made on this programme prior to final Executive decisions.
• Independent Reviewing Officer Annual Report and Annual Adoption Report: Consideration of these reports.
• School Attainment and Childcare Sufficiency: Reports on school attainment and the sufficiency, quality, and expansion of childcare.
• Families First Programme and Ofsted Action Plan: Scrutiny of these areas and updated budget proposals.
• Ofsted Subgroup: The re-establishment of the Ofsted Subgroup to review inspection reports for schools, children's centres, and daycare providers, and to examine support for improvements. The subgroup held three meetings and conducted visits to share good practice.

The committee noted that it would hold ten meetings in the 2026/27 municipal year and that a draft work programme would be developed. The committee reiterated its commitment to challenging the Executive and acting as a critical friend to achieve positive outcomes for Manchester's children and young people.