The Children, Education and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met on Tuesday 8 September 2026 to discuss the outcomes of a children's services inspection, the Northamptonshire Youth Justice Service Strategic Plan, and the mid-term report on the Northamptonshire Partnership Homes in-housing project. The committee endorsed the findings of the inspection, welcomed the Youth Justice Service's strategic plan, and endorsed the mid-term conclusions of the in-housing task and finish panel.

Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS) Outcomes

The committee received a presentation on the outcomes of the Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS). Inspectors judged the council's services in help and protection, the experiences and progress of children in care, and the experiences and progress of care leavers as Good, with leadership and management rated as Outstanding. Positive findings highlighted the effectiveness of Family Help arrangements and the Family Hub model in early intervention. However, areas for development included improving support for disabled children and enhancing awareness and accessibility of local offers for care leavers over 21. The committee welcomed the progress made and requested further information on tenancy failures among care leavers and any instances of suicide and self-harm involving care leavers.

Northamptonshire Youth Justice Service Strategic Plan 2026-2027

Councillor Hayley Adkins, Chair of the Committee, introduced the Northamptonshire Youth Justice Service Strategic Plan 2026-2027. The plan outlines priorities such as preventing offending, reducing reoffending, supporting children with complex needs, addressing serious violence and exploitation, and improving outcomes for victims. Members raised questions regarding the reduction of first-time entrants into the youth justice system, the impact of probation staffing levels, and arrangements for supporting young people with safety concerns outside of school. The Director of Children's Services, Melanie Barnett, responded that performance is monitored by the Youth Justice Management Board and that the service works closely with partners to address offending. The committee welcomed the plan and requested further information on knife amnesty boxes, supported the continued development of the Voice4Change approach, and recommended that future plans include more detailed demographic and geographical breakdowns of performance data. They also requested a mid-year update on youth offending performance.

Northamptonshire Partnership Homes In-housing Task and Finish Midterm Report

Councillor Farzana Aldridge, Chair of the Task and Finish Panel, presented the mid-term report on the Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH) in-housing programme. The panel has focused on providing constructive challenge regarding the delivery of the transition programme and ensuring appropriate governance and risk management. The report highlighted that Phase 1 of the transition had been completed successfully, with staff transferring as planned and services continuing without disruption. Members raised points regarding ongoing tenant communication, staffing arrangements, and the quality of housing stock data. Councillor Charlie Hastie, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, assured the committee that a Target Operating Model was nearing completion and would address future staffing and service delivery. The committee endorsed the mid-term conclusions of the panel, noting that no overall concerns had emerged regarding the programme to date.

Review of Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year. Proposed items for future meetings included the One West Northamptonshire Plan Performance Report, the SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy, and the West Northamptonshire Housing Strategy. Councillor Aldridge proposed that the committee also consider the safeguarding policies and procedures associated with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). It was agreed that an off-agenda briefing on the LADO's responsibilities would be provided, and that issues raised during public participation concerning SEND governance and accountability would be addressed through the scrutiny of the SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy.