The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, to review progress on departmental plans, performance reports, and annual safeguarding reports. Key discussions included updates on the Children and Family Services Departmental Plan 2026-29, the Leicestershire Music Overview Report, Quarter 1 performance, children's social care statutory complaints, the draft Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Children Partnership Yearly Report, and the Annual Report of the Independent Reviewing Officer.

Children and Family Services Departmental Plan 2026-29 Progress Update

The committee noted the progress update on the Leicestershire Children and Family Service Departmental Plan 2026-29. Members requested consideration for future progress reports to provide more detail on outcomes and the impact of services on children and families. They also requested consideration for a further progress report to be presented at a future meeting.

Leicestershire Music Overview Report

The committee noted the overview of the work of Leicestershire Music. Councillor Paige highlighted the significant value of music education for children's well-being and welfare and suggested increased media coverage and public promotion. Councillor Nick Chapman questioned the focus on SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provision, and it was clarified that while there is a specific focus on SEND schools and vulnerable groups, the service is accessible to all. Discussions also touched upon the funding challenges faced by Leicestershire Music due to static grant funding and rising costs. Future plans include a Music and Wellbeing project and a 'Musician in Residence' programme.

Quarter 1 2026/27 Performance Report

The committee noted the update on the Children and Family Services Department's performance for April to June 2026. Key areas of concern included an increase in children becoming subject to a child protection plan for a second or subsequent time, and an increase in re-referrals to children's social care. Officers explained that national trends contributed to these figures, and work was ongoing to address data inaccuracies and improve approaches to domestic abuse, parental mental health, and substance misuse. Positive progress was noted in assessment timeliness and a reduction in school suspensions. The report also detailed increases in children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and those electively home educated. Councillor David Page acknowledged the challenges but expressed confidence in the department's work. Councillor Mark Bools requested historical data to better understand trends, and Councillor Ann Pendlebury inquired about NEAT (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) figures for children in care and the reasons for children not attending dental appointments. The committee also requested that figures be included alongside percentages in future reports.

Children's Social Care Statutory Complaints and Compliments Annual Report 2025/26

The committee noted the summary of complaints and compliments received regarding children's social care services. There was an increase in both statutory and corporate complaints compared to the previous year, with poor level of service or service failure being the main cause. Stage 1 complaint response times decreased, and Stage 2 escalations increased, suggesting a need to improve the quality of Stage 1 responses. The report also detailed a decrease in the number of upheld Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman enquiries related to education and children's services.

Draft Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Children Partnership Yearly Report 2025/26

The committee noted the draft yearly report assessing the impact of work undertaken on safeguarding outcomes for children in Leicestershire and Rutland. Key messages highlighted significant work on child sexual abuse, improvements in health information sharing, and efforts to address issues raised in national reviews. The report also detailed challenges related to national reforms, increased demand at the front door, and the impact of local government reorganisation. The Independent Scrutineer noted strengths in governance and quality assurance, particularly regarding child sexual abuse work, and the growing commitment to hearing from children and families. However, areas for continued attention included increased demand, workforce capacity, and the impact of budgetary pressures. The committee's views would be presented to the Cabinet.

Annual Report of the Independent Reviewing Officer 2025/2026

The committee noted the summary and contents of the Annual Report of the Independent Reviewing Officers, which evaluates Leicestershire County Council's responsibilities towards children in care. The report highlighted an increase in the number of children in care to 761, with 2,203 review meetings completed, maintaining strong timeliness at 98.4%. Children's participation remained a strength at 93%, and permanence planning was strengthened, with 96% of children having an agreed plan. Key achievements included maintaining timely reviews, embedding child-centred approaches, and strengthening the use of challenge and escalation processes. Future plans include sustaining high-quality reviews, improving participation, and focusing on health and dental needs. The report also detailed the positive impact of the Language that Cares toolkit and the Coming Into Care Pack, and noted the ongoing development of the Families First Partnership Programme.