The Children's, Young Persons & Education Scrutiny Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Monday 13 July 2026 to discuss the SEND Reform Plan and the Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services. The committee endorsed the SEND Reform Plan, which aims to improve early intervention and inclusive mainstream provision, and noted the positive outcomes of the Ofsted ILACS inspection, which highlighted significant improvements in children's services.

Submission of the SEND Reform Plan

The committee endorsed and challenged the delivery of the SEND Reform Plan, ensuring it focuses on early intervention, inclusive mainstream provision, and improved experiences for children and families. The plan aims to address significant pressures within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system, including increasing demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), rising costs, and a need to rebuild confidence among families.

Key aspects of the plan that the committee will review include:

• Performance Reporting: Key data on EHCP demand and timeliness, inclusion rates (attendance, exclusions, placements), waiting times for specialist services, and parent and carer satisfaction.
• Experts at Hand Model: Assurance on the impact of the Experts at Hand model and Inclusion Partnerships, specifically whether they are increasing early intervention, reducing the escalation to statutory processes, and improving the confidence and capacity of the workforce to support children and young people with SEND.
• Financial Sustainability: Scrutiny of financial sustainability and value for money, including progress in reducing reliance on high-cost placements, delivering local provision, and managing High Needs Block pressures.

The committee also requested that officers provide an annual update report on the progress of the SEND reform plan, including implementation and key performance indicators against the three-year plan. This commitment to an annual review was seconded by Councillor Steve Geary and unanimously approved.

Ofsted Inspection of North Northamptonshire Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS)

The committee noted and considered the findings of the Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS), which took place between 11 and 22 May 2026. The inspection judged the overall effectiveness of services positively, with an Outstanding rating for the impact of leaders on practice with children and families, and Good judgements across all other service areas: children in need of help and protection, children in care, and care leavers.

Inspectors highlighted significant and sustained improvement since the previous inspection in 2022, attributing this to outstanding leadership, financial investment, workforce stability, and effective partnership working. The report recognised transformational improvements in service quality, a culture of relational practice, strong corporate parenting, and effective safeguarding arrangements.

Two areas for development were identified:

• The quality of support and plans for some children in need, particularly disabled children, where wider family circumstances were not always fully considered.
• Communication of the local offer for care-experienced young adults, especially regarding support for those over 21, where clarity on entitlements and ongoing arrangements could be improved.

The committee was thanked for their contributions during the debate, and it was confirmed that members had noted and considered the presentation, raising comments and concerns for officers.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 March 2026 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.