The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee of East Riding of Yorkshire Council was scheduled to discuss several key areas impacting children and young people. These included a report on school readiness, a review of children's centre assets and their transformation into Family Hubs, and updates on the sub-committee's work programme and the council's forward plan of key decisions. The meeting also had scheduled discussions on fostering and adoption sustainability and the exclusion of the press and public for a specific agenda item.

School Readiness

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider a report on school readiness, which defines the broad set of skills children need to function in school and beyond, encompassing academic, emotional, independent, physical, and social development. The report highlighted the critical importance of the early years, from conception to age five, for shaping life chances and preventing inequalities. It detailed the work undertaken by the Health and Wellbeing Board's 'Deep Dive' into school readiness, the promotion of national resources for parents, and the long-term impact of early developmental delays. The report also outlined the role of the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme, which aims to provide integrated services from pregnancy to age five, and the targets for children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) by 2028. The sub-committee was also to be informed about early years services, support for children with emerging and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and the Integrated Specialist Public Health Nursing Service's role in supporting children's health, wellbeing, and development. Early years sufficiency, including childcare availability and the uptake of early years entitlements, was also to be discussed, alongside parental feedback on services.

Children's Centres Asset Rationalisation and Transformation into Best Start Family Hubs

A report was scheduled to be presented regarding the strategic review of the Children's Centres and Family Hubs estate. This review considered the council's statutory responsibilities, national reforms, and the need for sustainable and responsive services. The report noted that Children's Centres, initially part of the Sure Start Programme, are a core element of the early help and prevention service. The review was prompted by national policy reforms, changing service delivery requirements, and ongoing financial pressures. The council faces significant financial challenges, with forecasts indicating an overspend within the Children's Directorate. The review aimed to determine if the current estate is the most appropriate model for delivering modern family support services and if resources could be used more effectively through a combination of Family Hub buildings, community-based provision, and outreach services. The report detailed the council's statutory duties under the Children Act 1989 and 2004, as well as SEND legislation. It also highlighted the influence of national reforms such as the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme, the Families First Partnership Programme, and ongoing SEND reforms, all of which emphasise coordinated support through Family Hubs. A comprehensive review of the 16 Family Hubs was undertaken, including usage levels, local population needs, and partnership strength, with findings mapped through a scorecard. A public consultation received 420 responses. The proposed changes aim to alter how services are accessed in locations where physical centres are recommended for closure, with the full Family Help service continuing through alternative delivery models. Key considerations for the sub-committee included the accessibility and need for services, the impact on vulnerable groups, partnership working, financial sustainability, and future demand and resilience.

Fostering, Children's Homes and Adoption Sustainability Plan

The sub-committee was scheduled to receive an update on the workforce sustainability plan for the Fostering and Adoption Service. This would include quantitative and qualitative data, and discussions were expected to involve children's homes, young ambassadors, and care-experienced young people.

Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee Work Programme

An update on the sub-committee's work programme was scheduled. This would include a reminder of a workshop planned for 22 July 2026.

Forward Plan of Key Decisions

The sub-committee was to receive a report from the Interim Executive Director of Corporate Resources detailing the Forward Plan of Key Decisions. This plan outlines key decisions the Cabinet and Council will be asked to make within the next four months. An extract from the plan was to be presented, highlighting any issues falling under the sub-committee's terms of reference, including the Youth Justice Plan 2026-2027 and the Term Service Contract for the Supply, Installation, Inspection, and Maintenance of Mobility Equipment.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The committee was asked to consider excluding the press and public from the meeting during the consideration of a specific agenda item. This was on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. The committee would be asked to confirm that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.