The Children's Services and Education Select Committee of Buckinghamshire Council met on Thursday 10 September 2026 to discuss the Youth Justice Plan, an update on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms, and the Ofsted/ILACS focus visit. Key discussions included the progress and challenges within the SEND system, the effectiveness of the Youth Justice Plan, and the findings of an Ofsted focus visit on children in need of help and protection.

Youth Justice Plan 2026-2029

The committee considered the Buckinghamshire Youth Justice Plan for 2026-2029, which outlines the strategic vision for the Youth Justice and Support Team (YJST). Councillor Carl Jackson, Cabinet Member for Education & Children's Services, highlighted the plan's focus on reducing first-time entrants to the youth justice system, re-offending rates, and the use of custody. The plan also details priorities for the next three years, including working with victims and communities harmed, developing opportunities for positive change in children, and supporting children to stay in suitable education.

Key achievements noted included a reduction in first-time entrants and re-offending rates, with performance stronger than regional and national averages. The plan also addresses the disproportionality of outcomes for certain ethnic groups and girls within the youth justice system, with ongoing work to understand and mitigate these disparities. The committee heard about various intervention types, including statutory court orders, out-of-court resolutions, and voluntary support programmes, all underpinned by a Child First approach.

Update on SEND Reforms

An update on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms, the SEND Improvement Programme, and the SEND Recovery Programme was presented. Councillor Jackson explained the significance of the SEND reforms, which aim to create a more inclusive education system. Buckinghamshire's SEND Reform Plan was submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) by the deadline, with initial feedback being positive. The success of this submission is crucial for accessing the High Needs Stability Grant, which covers a significant portion of the council's SEND deficit.

The committee was informed about the findings of a recent Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection, which judged the Buckinghamshire Local Area Partnership's SEND arrangements as leading to inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. A strategic plan has been developed in response to these findings, focusing on workstreams such as Early Support and Inclusion, Preparation for Adulthood, High Support Needs, and Education Sufficiency.

Significant progress has been made in the SEND Recovery Programme, which has led to a substantial increase in the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) issued and a reduction in average waiting times. However, concerns remain regarding the overall deficit in the Dedicated Schools Grant and the uncertainty surrounding future government funding. The committee also discussed the importance of clear communication with families and schools regarding EHCP processes and the challenges of ensuring sufficient school places, particularly for children with SEND.

Ofsted/ILACS Focus Visit Verbal Update

A verbal report was provided on a recent two-day focus visit by Ofsted concerning children in need of help and protection. Councillor Jackson stated that the visit was not an inspection but a short visit looking at a narrow set of issues, and that a letter summarising the findings would be shared. Positives highlighted included a visible and experienced leadership team and high-quality assessments. Areas for improvement were identified, with practical suggestions offered by Ofsted. The committee discussed the consistency of planning for children subject to child protection or child-in-need plans, with officers explaining that inconsistencies related to the detail within plans, such as the inclusion of the child's lived experience. The council is committed to continuous improvement and learning from these visits, with an Ofsted improvement programme in place.

Work Programme

The committee noted the work programme for September 2026 to April 2027. Several items were highlighted for future discussion, including the Education Places Sufficiency Strategy, the Best Start in Life programme, and the work of Youth Voice Bucks. The committee also discussed the possibility of forming working groups to explore specific areas, such as corporate parenting and school visits, to gain a deeper understanding of services and identify areas for improvement. There was also a discussion about the importance of ensuring that scrutiny documents remain data-driven rather than becoming publicity materials.