The Children's Select Committee of Wiltshire Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 28 July 2026 to discuss a range of important issues concerning children and young people in the county. Key topics on the agenda include strategies for managing the increasing number of children in care, the implications of the Post 16 Education and Skills White Paper, and the findings of a rapid scrutiny exercise into the Wiltshire SEND Reform Plan.

Children in Care: Sufficiency and Cost Assurance

A significant item for discussion is the report on Children We Care For: Sufficiency and Cost Assurance (pages 29-36). This report will examine the strategies in place to manage the rising number of children and young people entering the care of Wiltshire Council. It will also assess the progress of these strategies and their effectiveness in mitigating the increasing costs associated with external care providers. The report highlights that the primary driver of the 2025/26 overspend was not an increase in the number of children requiring care, but rather higher placement and accommodation costs. For instance, the average weekly cost for Independent Fostering Agency placements rose by 20%, and for external residential placements, it increased by a substantial 63%. The report will also detail the strategies being implemented, such as reunification plans, support for kinship care, the Staying Close programme, and the development of local accommodation provision, to address these challenges.

Post 16 Education and Skills White Paper

The committee is also scheduled to consider the Post 16 Education and Skills White Paper (pages 37-42). This report will outline the key points of the government's white paper, which aims to reform post-16 education and skills to equip the workforce for the future. It will detail the implications for the local authority and highlight existing activities in Wiltshire related to skills development. The white paper proposes reforms to vocational qualifications, Level 2 education, and GCSE resits, alongside a focus on skills in priority sectors and the roles of Skills England and Strategic Authorities. The report will also touch upon the Youth Guarantee and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement .

Wiltshire SEND Reform Plan

Another key agenda item is the Rapid Scrutiny: Wiltshire SEND Reform Plan (pages 43-48). This report will present the findings and recommendations from a rapid scrutiny exercise conducted on the draft Wiltshire SEND Reform Plan before its submission to the Department for Education. The scrutiny group has raised concerns regarding the adequacy of funding for schools to deliver the universal offer of inclusive mainstream education, the availability of skilled professionals for the Experts at Hand initiative, and the potential for rationing of support if the 90 full-time equivalent expert posts are insufficient. The report also questions the practical implementation of the three-tier system, the consistency of support across different schools, and the focus on the offer for children aged 0-5 and 19-25.

Young Carers Annual Report

The committee will also consider the Young Carers Annual Report 2025/26 . This report will provide an overview of the activity, performance, and impact of the Young Carers service during the specified period.

Department for Education Updates

An update on developments relating to Children's Services from the Department for Education (DfE) for June to July 2026 will also be presented. This update covers various government initiatives, including new missions to transform the childhoods of disadvantaged children, guidance on delivering the children's social care reset, and funding for PE and school sport. It also touches upon free breakfast clubs in schools, efforts to improve school readiness through data sharing, analysis of school absence on birthdays, and the rollout of mental health support teams in schools.

Updates from Task Groups and Representatives

The committee will receive updates from active Task Groups and from members appointed as Overview and Scrutiny Representatives on Programme Boards. This includes an update on the Children's Select Committee's Standing Task Group, the Adoption West Joint Scrutiny Panel, and the rapid scrutiny of the Wiltshire SEND Reform Plan.

Cabinet Member Update

Attending Cabinet Members, or their representatives, are expected to provide a verbal update on any news, successes, or milestones in their respective areas since the last committee meeting.

Forward Work Programme

Finally, the committee will review and receive updates on the progress of items on its Forward Work Programme. This includes noting any matters added by Members, which will be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee for approval.