The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 23 July 2026 to discuss the SEND Reform Plan and the Adult Safeguarding Update. The committee endorsed the SEND Reform Plan and requested biannual updates on its delivery. They also reviewed the Adult Safeguarding Update, noting a decline in performance timeliness due to workforce development but with an improvement plan in place.

SEND Reform Plan

The committee endorsed the Staffordshire Local Area SEND Reform Plan, which aims to improve the SEND system by focusing on early intervention, local provision, fairness, effectiveness, and shared working. The plan, developed in response to the national Every Child Achieving and Thriving White Paper, outlines strategies for strengthening inclusive practice, improving access to specialist advice, and ensuring collaboration between education, health, families, and the voluntary sector. Councillor Janet Higgins, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, highlighted that Staffordshire is the 18th lowest-funded local authority for mainstream pupils and the sixth lowest-funded for the high-needs block, presenting a significant financial challenge. The committee requested biannual updates on the delivery and impact of the plan.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about the criteria for children entering mainstream schools with SEND needs, the need for appropriate resources in older school buildings, and the training of mainstream teachers to manage challenging behaviours. Councillor Victoria Wilson (Shadow Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People) questioned the trajectory of SEND numbers and the possibility of using reserves to address funding issues, while also expressing concern about the higher rates of safeguarding concerns in Tamworth and Cannock.

The committee also discussed the importance of early intervention and prevention, with Councillor Higgins emphasizing the need for government action on funding and national policies. The plan aims to have additional key workers and EHCP coordinators, improved communication with families, and established enhanced resource spaces within mainstream schools within three years. The Experts at Hand offer will provide support to educational settings, including educational psychologists and speech and language therapists, to help them meet the needs of individual children.

Adult Safeguarding Update

Ruth Martin, Principal Social Worker and Safeguarding Lead, presented an update on adult safeguarding, noting that while demand remains high with approximately 1,450 concerns received each month, the majority are managed effectively at the initial triage stage. A recent decline in performance timeliness was attributed to workforce development within the Staffordshire Adult Safeguarding Team, with an improvement plan in place and recovery anticipated by September 2026.

The report highlighted positive findings from performance monitoring and audit activity, demonstrating a continued focus on achieving outcomes for adults at risk and maintaining quality safeguarding practice. Approximately 85% of concerns are resolved at the initial triage stage without requiring a full Section 42 safeguarding inquiry. The rate of concerns reported is higher among older adults, and the highest rates are observed in Tamworth and Cannock, which may correlate with levels of deprivation.

Concerns were raised by councillors regarding the high rate of adult safeguarding concerns in Tamworth and Cannock, and the need for better information sharing with borough and district councils. It was agreed that direct contact would be made with relevant individuals in all districts once a full deep dive into the data had been completed. The committee also recommended that portfolio holders for this area meet to discuss local adult safeguarding.

Work Programme

The committee reviewed and agreed the draft work programme for 2026-27. A proposal was made to add safeguarding around e-bikes and e-scooters to the work programme, following a serious incident involving a young girl in Tamworth. This item was agreed, and further information will be circulated.

The committee also received updates on the Joint Targeted Area Inspection of Staffordshire concerning the multi-agency response to child sexual abuse in the family environment, and the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report. Recommendations were made to invite representatives from Staffordshire Police and NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board to a future meeting to discuss progress on improvements highlighted in the inspection report.