The Children and Families Scrutiny Committee of Lincolnshire Council met on Friday 16 October 2026 to discuss a range of important issues concerning children's services. Key discussions included the proposed direct award of a contract for an integrated digital bedroom system at the new Millennium Lodge secure children's home, and a review of inclusion and alternative provision arrangements for 2025-26. The committee also received an update on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, reviewed the Children's Services Annual Statutory Complaints Report, and discussed the committee's work programme.

Decision to Award Secure Children's Home Integrated Digital Bedroom System Contract

The committee reviewed a report recommending the direct award of a contract to Reconnect for the CoWin Play digital bedroom media and communication system at the new Millennium Lodge secure children's home. This system is designed to support children's well-being, communication, education, and therapeutic needs within a safe and secure environment. Councillor Rao expressed excitement about the system but raised concerns about the procurement process, questioning why the software wasn't acquired alongside the hardware. Officers explained that the decision to procure the software was dependent on the final design and integration with other systems, which could not be determined earlier. Councillor O'Rourke supported the initiative but voiced concerns about children potentially being disincentivised from leaving their rooms due to the enhanced environment. The committee was assured that staff would control access to the system, including TV and phone usage, to encourage participation in education and therapy. Councillor Davies queried the financial model and the contract start date, which were clarified by officers. Councillor Brooks and Councillor Bunney raised questions about content restrictions and the system's security, with assurances provided that all media would be screened and the system was tried and tested against bypass attempts. The committee reviewed and scrutinised the report to the executive.

Inclusion and Alternative Provision Arrangements 2025-26

The committee received an update on inclusion and alternative provision arrangements in Lincolnshire for 2025-26. Kate Capel, Head of Inclusion, reported a positive trend in secondary permanent exclusions, which had reduced by approximately 19% in 2023-24. However, suspensions had increased by 21% in 2025-26, with a significant rise in the number of pupils suspended and the frequency of suspensions. Councillor Davies expressed concern about the rising suspension numbers, questioning the effectiveness of current strategies. Martin Smith, Service Director for Children's Education, and Kate Capel explained that while suspensions had increased, targeted interventions and early support were showing success, and that wider pressures, including SEND reforms, were contributing factors. The discussion also touched upon the concentration of exclusions within a small number of schools, with assurances that the Quality and Effectiveness team worked closely with these settings. Councillor Brockway offered a teacher's perspective, suggesting that exclusions could sometimes be positive by providing a change of environment, but also highlighted the challenges of managing disruptive behaviour and the need for early intervention. The committee was assured that the local authority worked collaboratively with schools to address these issues, considering factors such as deprivation and community issues. The report was reviewed, and the committee sought assurance on the inclusion and alternative provision arrangements, with a proposal made to receive a further update in 12 months.

Annual Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Update 2026

Martin Smith, Service Director for Children's Education, presented the annual update on SEND services. He highlighted that while demand and complexity of need had increased, performance against key statutory measures remained strong. Lincolnshire's SEND prevalence was 21.2%, slightly below the national average. Requests for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs) had increased by 54% since 2021, and maintained EHCPs had grown significantly, with projections indicating a further increase to over 14,000 by 2030. Despite these pressures, Lincolnshire performed well above regional and national averages for the timeliness of EHCP completion, with 86.8% issued within the 20-week timescale. However, the high rate of EHCP amendments following annual reviews (over 80%) was noted as an area requiring further investigation. Significant financial pressures on the High Needs Block were also discussed, with a projected deficit of £53.6 million in 2026-27. The committee heard about the approval of a £22.5 million High Needs Sustainability Grant and the creation of additional capacity within the SEND team. Councillor Brooks questioned the year-on-year growth in annual reviews and the reasons for the high amendment rate. Dr. van der Zee inquired about positive signs, such as EHCPs being abolished, and the role of the in-house educational psychology team. Martin Smith and Rebecca Warden, Assistant Head of SEND, provided detailed responses, highlighting early intervention successes and the ongoing work to address financial pressures and implement national SEND reforms. The committee reviewed the report, acknowledged the continuing pressures and risks, and endorsed the priorities for the next 12 months, agreeing to receive a further annual report in a year's time.

Children's Services Annual Statutory Complaints Report 2025-2026

Carolyn Knight, Head of Service Quality and Standards and Principal Social Worker, presented the annual statutory complaints report for Children's Social Care. The report indicated a reduction in complaint volumes, with 104 complaints received during 2025-26, representing 8.6% of all council contacts. Of these, 62 were not upheld, 31 partially upheld, and 11 fully upheld, with communication identified as the principal learning theme. Councillor Robinson inquired about how communication preferences are recorded and shared when staff are on leave. Councillor Daish asked about the grading of social workers and recruitment challenges, to which Carolyn Knight responded that Lincolnshire was in a good position with a low vacancy rate nationally, despite ongoing recruitment challenges. Councillor Davies praised the report and sought further detail on Stage 2 escalations. Councillor Brooks asked if the upheld complaints identified specific safeguarding failings, and Councillor Carey raised concerns about the impact of social worker turnover on children and families. Councillor Smee questioned the awareness and confidence of children in care to use the complaints system. Carolyn Knight assured the committee that communication preferences are recorded, recruitment is a national challenge but Lincolnshire is performing well, and that while specific safeguarding failings were not identified in the upheld complaints, learning from all complaints is taken seriously. The committee reviewed the report and expressed satisfaction with the performance of children's services in relation to the annual statutory complaints report, with a proposal made to receive the next report in 12 months.

Children and Families Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Hannah Hunter, Scrutiny Officer, presented the committee's work programme. A change was noted regarding the pre-decision scrutiny report on mainstream schools funding, which had been deferred from November to January due to delays in Department for Education funding announcements. The committee's next meeting on 27 November would include items on foster care retention and remuneration, the new secure children's home Millennium Lodge, quarter two performance for children's services, and the childcare sufficiency report for 2026. Councillor Roe queried a potential overlap with an item discussed earlier, which Hannah Hunter clarified related to a different, albeit related, element of the Millennium Lodge project. The committee reviewed and agreed the planned work programme, with any additional suggestions to be discussed with officers after the meeting.

The meeting concluded with a proposal to exclude the public and press for the consideration of exempt information regarding education provision planning.