The Education and Young People Overview & Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss several key reports concerning child welfare, early years development, and special educational needs. A significant focus was placed on the findings of a joint inspection into the multi-agency response to child sexual abuse in Oxfordshire, alongside plans for the Best Start in Life initiative and the development of Family Hubs across the county. The committee was also set to review the lifting of a Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Improvement Notice.

Joint Targeted Area Inspection Report on Child Sexual Abuse

The committee was scheduled to consider a report stemming from a Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) that examined the multi-agency response to child sexual abuse within families in Oxfordshire. This inspection was conducted by Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, and His Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation. The report was expected to detail findings on the effectiveness of the response to safeguarding and supporting children at risk or who have disclosed sexual abuse within their families. It was also intended to highlight areas for improvement, such as the consistency of information sharing between agencies, the identification of risks posed by adult sex offenders, and the effectiveness of safety planning for children. The report noted strengths in the professional networks around children and families once abuse was identified, the timeliness of police investigations, and prompt access to therapeutic support. However, it also pointed to inconsistencies in information sharing, variable awareness of child sexual abuse indicators, and a lack of meaningful involvement from the probation service at a strategic level. The committee was asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations it wished to make to the Cabinet.

Best Start in Life Plan

A report on the Best Start in Life Plan was scheduled for discussion. This plan, approved by Cabinet on 19 May 2026, outlines a strategy to ensure every child in Oxfordshire has the best possible start from pregnancy to school entry. The plan aims to improve child development outcomes, with revised local targets set to achieve 79.8% of all eligible children reaching a Good Level of Development (GLD) by 2028, and 59.8% of children eligible for free school meals achieving GLD. The plan focuses on four key priorities: Healthy Beginnings, Strong Foundations, High-Quality Early Years Learning, and strengthening the overall Best Start in Life Offer. It emphasizes a shared approach across health, early years, education, early help, and the voluntary and community sector, with a focus on prevention and reducing inequalities. The committee was asked to note the plan and provide any comments on the agreed monitoring arrangements.

Best Start Family Hubs in Oxfordshire

The committee was also set to review the development of Best Start Family Hubs (BSFHs) in Oxfordshire, which are a core component of the Best Start in Life Plan. These hubs are intended to provide welcoming, inclusive, and accessible spaces offering integrated support to families from pregnancy through to age 19 (or 25 for those with SEND). The core offer will include parenting and home learning programmes, support for children with additional needs, and a healthy baby offer. The strategic direction proposes five localities, each with a primary BSFH, supported by a network of BSFH Network sites. A grant-based funding programme is proposed to support Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations in delivering services. The development of BSFHs will align with the existing Youth Offer to create a more integrated 0-19 (or 25) service. The committee was asked to note the Council's strategic direction for these hubs.

SEND Improvement Notice Letter

A report on the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Improvement Notice letter was on the agenda. This notice was issued to Oxfordshire County Council and the Thames Valley Integrated Care Board in 2023 following an inspection that highlighted systemic failures. The report was expected to detail the progress made by the local area partnership in addressing the identified areas for improvement, which included strengthening the involvement of children, young people, and parent carers in service planning, improving communication and information sharing, enhancing the timeliness of Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, and reducing waiting times for critical support. The committee was informed that the Secretary of State for Education had made the decision to lift the improvement notice in April 2026, acknowledging the effective action taken. The report also indicated that SEND improvement work would continue through a revised SEND Priority Action Plan and in response to national SEND reforms. The committee was asked to note the progress made and thank partners for their contributions.

Co-optee Recruitment Update

An update on co-optee recruitment was scheduled, with a recommendation to note the activity undertaken to fill the vacant parent governor post and to agree to appoint Leah Q and Elza B as co-opted young people members for a two-year term.

Committee Forward Work Plan and Action Tracker

The committee was also scheduled to consider and agree its work programme for forthcoming meetings, taking into account the Cabinet Forward Plan and the Budget Management Monitoring Report. Additionally, the progress of previous recommendations and actions arising from earlier meetings was to be noted via the Committee Action and Recommendation Tracker. The committee was also asked to note the Cabinet's responses to previous scrutiny recommendations on topics including the Local Area SEND Partnership, Attainment, EOTAS, Fostering, and the Virtual School.