The Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss a range of critical issues affecting young people in Wokingham Borough. Key decisions included the endorsement of a new Sufficiency Strategy aimed at ensuring adequate and appropriate homes for children in care, and the review of the Skills and Employment Strategy with a focus on youth opportunities. The committee also received updates on the SEND and Inclusion agenda, Home to School Transport, and the Annual Youth Justice Plan.

Moving Fairwood School: Consultation Launched

A significant announcement was the launch of a consultation on the potential relocation of Fairwood School. This proposal stems from a borough-wide surplus of primary school places, which is putting financial strain on schools, contrasted with a shortage in the south-west of the borough. The plan is to relocate Fairwood School to a new building in Spencer's Wood, which would also accommodate a new specialist base for up to 14 children with autism and speech, language and communication needs. This move is intended to provide additional places in the needed area while reducing surplus capacity elsewhere, avoiding the closure of a school. The relocation is planned for September 2028, and transport from the existing site to the new location will be provided for at least the first three years. A formal consultation period has begun, with parents and staff being briefed.

Skills and Employment Strategy Focuses on Youth

The committee reviewed the draft Employment and Skills Strategy 2026-2031, with a particular emphasis on the needs of young people aged 16-24. Despite Wokingham's strong economy and high educational attainment, significant inequalities persist for disadvantaged learners, care-experienced young people, those with SEND, and those not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The strategy aims to create tailored support pathways, increase work experience opportunities, strengthen transitions between education and employment, and promote apprenticeships and vocational training. Key initiatives include the development of an Access Hub for coordinated support, a hospitality skills pathway, and a Business Charter to foster employer engagement. The strategy has been co-produced with young people, including workshops with the Youth Council and Youth MPs.

SEND and Inclusion: Progress and Challenges

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion report highlighted progress in the timeliness of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), with 100% being completed on time in June 2026. However, challenges remain, including the timeliness of annual reviews, increasing demand for SEND support, and a significant number of tribunal appeals. The Local SEND Reform Plan is progressing, with a focus on locality working and the Experts at Hand model to provide early intervention. The Area SEND Priority Action Plan, developed in response to an Ofsted inspection, has been approved by the Department for Education and NHS England, with potential for 90% of the High Needs Block deficit to be written off if approved.

Education, Best Start in Life, and Lifelong Learning Updates

The Education, Best Start in Life, and Lifelong Learning update showcased strong educational performance across Wokingham's schools, with positive Ofsted outcomes, particularly in inclusion, behaviour, and personal development. An Education Belonging Strategy is being developed to strengthen inclusion and attendance. The Best Start in Life programme is progressing, with the establishment of Family Hubs and a focus on improving early years outcomes and parental support. The Educational Psychology service continues to support statutory responsibilities and early identification, while the Virtual School is enhancing educational outcomes for children in care and care leavers. Safeguarding coordination in schools has also been strengthened.

Home to School Transport Savings and Improvements

The Home to School Transport Update revealed significant savings achieved over the last three financial years, reducing overall expenditure from £6.9 million in 2023/24 to £5.6 million in 2025/26, an 18.6% reduction. This was achieved despite an increase in SEND pupils receiving travel assistance. Key initiatives include stricter eligibility criteria, increased use of Personal Travel Budgets (PTBs), and the expansion of the in-house Independent Travel Training (ITT) service. The ITT service has already saved approximately £100,000 in its first year and is exploring becoming a traded service.

Sufficiency Strategy: Ensuring Loving Homes for Children in Care

The Sufficiency Strategy 2026-29, Loving Homes for the Children We Care For, was presented, outlining the council's plan to meet its statutory duty to ensure sufficient high-quality homes for children in care and care leavers. Despite Wokingham performing well compared to national averages, forecasts indicate a need for an additional 51 placements over the next three years across fostering, residential care, and supported accommodation. The strategy prioritises keeping children local, developing specialist provision for complex needs, and supporting care leavers' transition to independence. The council is also actively participating in the South East Regional Care Cooperative, Homes and Futures, to enhance regional collaboration and commissioning.

Youth Justice Plan Focuses on Prevention and Partnership

The Annual Youth Justice Plan 2026-27 was presented, highlighting a continued focus on a Child First, prevention-led, and partnership-based model. Achievements include a 53% reduction in first-time entrants to the criminal justice system and no children on remand or in custody during 2025-26. Key priorities for the coming year include strengthening SEND and inclusion responses, improving data analysis to address disproportionality, enhancing the victim and restorative justice offer, and continuing prevention and knife possession responses.

Family Help and Safeguarding Updates

The Family Help and Safeguarding Update detailed the launch of the new Family Help Service, co-located at Shute End, and the introduction of Family Help Pods to provide more consistent support. The Family Group Conferencing service has also launched successfully. While it is early to measure impact, encouraging signs include reduced delays in early help allocation and positive practitioner feedback. Design work for the Integrated Front Door and Multi-Agency Child Protection Team is progressing, with implementation planned by March 2027. The number of children in care remains at 151, with efforts focused on placement stability and support for care leavers.

Action Tracker and Forward Programme

The committee reviewed the Action Tracker, noting ongoing actions related to exam data breakdowns and updates to the care leaver local offer. The Forward Programme for the committee's work was also discussed, with agreement to consider rescheduling items to manage a packed agenda.

The meeting also included an Executive Member Update from Councillor Prue Bray, Executive Councillor for Children's Services, who provided a verbal overview of current pressures and changes within Children's Services, largely driven by government policy reforms and concurrent initiatives such as SEND Reform and the establishment of Family Hubs. She acknowledged the significant pressure on staff and highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve outcomes for children and families.

A portion of the meeting was moved to Part 2 to discuss Schools Causing Concern.