The Durham Family Panel met on Friday 17 July 2026 to discuss a range of updates and reports concerning children in care and care leavers in County Durham. Key topics included the annual reports for the Durham Family Panel and the Regional Adoption Agency, updates on adoption team performance, and progress on the Sufficiency Statement for Children in Care and Care Leavers. Housing issues for young people and care leavers were also scheduled for discussion.

Ofsted Updates

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update from the Head of Children's Social Care and the Head of Strategy, Assurance and Specialist Services regarding Ofsted inspections.

Durham Family Panel Annual Report 2025-2026

The panel was set to consider the Durham Family Panel Annual Report for 2025-2026. This report, compiled by Jac Tyler, Interim Head of Children's Social Care, covers the period from April 2025 to March 2026. It details the work undertaken to strengthen political and management oversight of the panel and increase the voice of children and young people. The report was intended for agreement by the panel and subsequent progression to the Council. The report highlights Ofsted's outstanding grading for Durham Local Authority Children's Services in 2025, noting the positive impact of leaders and the effectiveness of the Corporate Parenting Panel (now Durham Family Panel) in incorporating the views of children and young people. Young people from the Children in Care Council were involved in the development of the annual report.

Regional Adoption Agency (Adopt Coast to Coast) Annual Report

A report from Rachel Farnham, Corporate Director of Children and Young People's Services, was scheduled to present the annual performance for the Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) Adopt Coast to Coast for 2025-2026. The report was intended to provide assurance on the RAA's work and highlight priorities for 2026-2027. Adopt Coast to Coast, a partnership between Durham County Council and Together for Children (Sunderland), launched in April 2021. The report was expected to cover enquiry trends, recruitment figures, and the progress of adoption support services, including the introduction of Virtual Memory Box (VMB) for letterbox exchanges and the development of a multi-disciplinary adoption support offer.

Durham County Council Adoption Team Report 2025/26

This report, also from Rachel Farnham, Corporate Director of Children and Young People's Services, was scheduled to present the annual performance for the Durham spoke of the Regional Adoption Agency, Adopt Coast to Coast, for 2025-2026. It was intended to outline the team's performance, including recruitment, panel activity, the child's journey through the adoption process, and post-adoption support services. Key priorities for 2026-2027 were also to be presented for approval. The report indicated a significant increase in approved adoptive households and a focus on Early Permanence placements.

Proud Moments

An update from the Strategic Managers was scheduled to share Proud Moments from across Children and Young People's Services. This segment is intended to highlight achievements and successes of children and young people in care, as suggested by young people themselves to counter stigma and discrimination.

Update from the Kinship Care Council

An update from the Kinship Care Council was scheduled, with contributions from young people. This would likely cover the support and activities related to kinship carers and the children they care for.

Voices: Update from the Care Leavers Network

An update from the Care Leavers Network was scheduled, presented by the Voice and Participation Practitioner. This would provide insights into the experiences and views of care leavers in County Durham.

Sufficiency Statement for Children in Care and Care Leavers 2025-2029 Progress Update

This report from Rachel Farnham, Corporate Director of Children and Young People's Services, was to provide an update on the progress of the Sufficiency Statement for Children in Care and Care Leavers 2025-2029. The statement, approved in October 2025, outlines Durham's strategic approach to ensuring sufficient accommodation and support for children in care and care leavers. The report was expected to detail the policy context, a summary of needs, budget pressures, and work programmes aligned with the Durham Cares Board, aiming to ensure children have the right home, in the right place, at the right time. The report highlighted increasing demand, rising costs, and the impact of national reviews and legislation such as the Children's Wellbeing Bill. It detailed four key work programmes: supporting children to live outside of care, developing family-based homes, ensuring sufficiency of children's homes, and market management.

Housing Children and Young People in Care and Care Leavers

A report from Tony Hanson, Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth, was scheduled to provide an overview of housing and homelessness issues specifically for children in care and care leavers. This discussion was intended to align with the Durham Family Strategy 2025-2029's priorities for maximising housing opportunities for young people transitioning into adulthood and improving accommodation for care leavers. The report was expected to cover the council's statutory functions in preventing and relieving homelessness, the current position of care leavers in relation to accommodation, and plans for improving transition planning and post-18 housing support.

Regulation 44 Visits - Durham County Council Children's Homes

Part B of the meeting, which was not open to the public, was scheduled to include a presentation by the Strategic Manager of Children's Homes regarding Regulation 44 Visits to Durham County Council Children's Homes. Regulation 44 visits are independent inspections of children's homes to ensure the welfare of the children residing there.