The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 15 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes updates on several key areas concerning children's services, including the ILACS Improvement Plan, the SEND Sufficiency Plan, the Families First Partnership Programme, and the NEET (Not in Education, Employment and Training) update.

ILACS Improvement Plan Update

A report is scheduled to be presented regarding the progress of the ILACS Improvement Plan. The ILACS (Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services) inspection is a comprehensive assessment of a local authority's children's services. The improvement plan outlines the actions being taken to address any areas identified for development following the inspection. The report pack indicates that this item will be accompanied by a detailed report covering pages 13 to 82.

SEND Sufficiency Plan Update

The committee is set to receive an update on the SEND Sufficiency Plan. This plan focuses on ensuring that there are adequate and appropriate educational, health, and social care services available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within Bury. The report pack details that this update will be presented alongside a report on pages 83 to 86. The report highlights that Bury has a higher prevalence of EHCPs than national averages, with particular pressure on specialist provision for children with autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. The strategy aims to reduce demand for specialist and alternative provision through early intervention, develop a coherent continuum of provision, ensure sufficient alternative provision, and strengthen post-16 pathways.

Families First Partnership Programme Update

An update on the Families First Partnership Programme is scheduled. This national reform aims to reshape children's social care services by focusing on prevention, stronger partnerships, and multi-agency teams. The report pack indicates that this item will be accompanied by a report on pages 87 to 90. The report details that Bury is on track for implementation by April 2027, with plans to establish integrated Family Help Teams across three neighbourhood localities. These teams will comprise Targeted Early Help, Duty and Assessment, and Family Safeguarding teams, working together to provide a seamless service. Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams will also be formed, bringing together professionals from social care, police, health, and education.

NEET (Not in Education, Employment and Training) Update

The committee will receive an update on the NEET figures for young people in Bury. This report will cover national context, participation measures, and the seasonal nature of NEET performance. The report pack indicates that this update will be accompanied by a report on pages 91 to 98. The report highlights that Bury's participation rate for 16 and 17-year-olds is 91.3%, broadly in line with regional and national averages. Bury's NEET rate of 4.3% is lower than both the North West and England averages, with a particularly low Not Known rate, indicating robust tracking. However, the report notes that young people identified as belonging to vulnerable groups, such as those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), have a higher risk of becoming NEET. The report also discusses the growth in the number of young people in the participation cohort and the availability of suitable post-16 provision.

The meeting will also include time for public questions and member questions. The minutes from the previous meeting held on 23 July 2026 are also scheduled for approval.