The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Worcestershire Council met on Wednesday 23 September 2026 to discuss the outcomes of a SEND monitoring inspection, review the progress and development of the Worcestershire Fostering Service, and examine quarterly performance and in-year budget monitoring. The meeting also included a review of the panel's work programme.

SEND Monitoring Inspection Outcome Report

The panel was scheduled to consider a report detailing the outcome of a SEND monitoring inspection conducted by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This inspection revisited Worcestershire to assess actions taken following a previous report published in July 2024, which identified widespread and/or systemic failings in the provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The report indicated that while progress had been made in some areas, particularly in strengthening the involvement of children and young people with SEND in strategic decision-making (Priority Action Two), significant challenges remained regarding long waiting times for essential services (Priority Action One). These included community paediatrics, neurodevelopmental assessments, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy. The inspection noted that waiting times for occupational therapy and physiotherapy had improved, and support measures for families during waiting periods had been introduced. However, waiting times for neurodevelopmental and community paediatric services remained unacceptably long, with insufficient evidence of improvement plans having yet led to better experiences for children and young people. Communication with families was also identified as inconsistent.

In response to the inspection findings, an updated Priority Action Plan was developed, outlining how the partnership would address the identified areas for improvement. This plan aimed to provide a delivery and assurance framework for the two priority actions, aligning them with the wider Local SEND Reform Plan.

Worcestershire Fostering Service: Progress, Sufficiency and Development

The panel was set to receive an update on the performance and development of Worcestershire's Fostering Service, with a focus on increasing the availability of high-quality family-based foster homes. The report highlighted a significant improvement in foster carer recruitment during 2025/26, with a 24% year-on-year increase in mainstream fostering households. The service also detailed efforts to improve the retention and support of foster carers, including the Anchor Service, which provides specialist attachment and trauma-focused support.

A key strategic focus was on increasing capacity for specific needs, such as older children, sibling groups, and those with complex emotional and behavioural needs. The Valuing Care approach, introduced in August 2024, was presented as a structured method for identifying children who could move from residential care to family-based settings, or those at risk of entering residential care. This approach had reportedly helped 22 children avoid residential care or move successfully into fostering arrangements in 2025/26, with estimated financial benefits.

The report also outlined plans for the expansion of therapeutic and specialist fostering provision, aiming to develop an intermediate level of family-based care for children with more complex needs. Partnership working with Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) and the pilot of an Integrated Residential Outreach Care (IROC) service were also discussed as ways to increase fostering capacity and support children with complex needs.

Quarterly Performance and In-Year Budget Monitoring

The panel was scheduled to review performance and financial information for services related to Children and Families for Quarter 1 (April to June 2026). This included a dashboard of performance indicators and in-year budget monitoring information.

The performance data covered various areas, including Ofsted outcomes for schools, school attendance, children missing education (CME), permanent exclusions, and young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET). For school attendance, overall attendance had slightly decreased, while persistent absence rates had improved. Worcestershire's CME rate was reported as lower than the national average. The data on permanent exclusions showed a positive trend, mirroring a national decrease. The NEET figures indicated a continued increase, with challenges related to funding and provision for young people.

The financial information highlighted a projected overall corporate overspend of £8.0 million for the year, with significant pressures in adults' and children's social care. Specifically for Children's Services, a forecast overspend of £6.8 million was anticipated, largely due to increased costs for placements, social care staffing, and services for all-age disability. The report also detailed the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit, which stood at £180.8 million, with a forecast year-end deficit of £122.2 million.

Work Programme

The panel was also due to review its work programme for 2026/27. This involved considering any amendments to the planned scrutiny activities, which cover children's social care, public health relating to families, and education and skills. The work programme included scheduled reviews of the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership's annual report, budget scrutiny, and education performance outcomes. Potential future items for scrutiny included education sufficiency, the SEND Reform Plan, and support for children and young people with challenging behaviour.