The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee of North Yorkshire Council discussed several significant topics, including the proposal to treat care experience as a protected characteristic, updates on fostering services, and the annual report from the Young People's Champion. Decisions were made to support the proposal for care experience and to endorse the work programme for 2024-2025.

Treating Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic

The committee discussed the proposal to treat care experience as a protected characteristic. This proposal aims to provide additional legal protections to individuals who have been in care, similar to those afforded to other protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. The committee supported the proposal, citing the need to address the systemic disadvantages faced by care-experienced individuals. One member noted, This is a crucial step towards ensuring that care-experienced individuals receive the support and recognition they deserve ¹.

Fostering North Yorkshire Update

An update on the Fostering North Yorkshire service was provided, highlighting the current challenges and successes. The report noted an increase in the number of foster carers but also pointed out the ongoing need for more carers to meet the demand. The committee discussed strategies to recruit and retain foster carers, including enhanced support and training programs.

Young People's Champion Annual Report 2023-2024

The Young People's Champion Annual Report 2023-2024 was presented, detailing the achievements and activities over the past year. The report emphasized the importance of youth engagement and highlighted several successful initiatives, such as the youth council and various outreach programs. The committee praised the efforts and impact of the Young People's Champion.

Work Programme 2024 - 2025

The committee reviewed and endorsed the Work Programme for 2024 - 2025. The programme outlines the key areas of focus for the upcoming year, including improving educational outcomes, supporting vulnerable families, and enhancing mental health services for children and young people. The committee agreed that the proposed work programme aligns well with the council's strategic priorities and the needs of the community.

FEAST Report

The FEAST Report and its Appendix A were discussed, providing insights into the impact of the FEAST (Food, Entertainment, Arts, Sports, and Technology) programme. The report highlighted the positive outcomes of the programme, including increased participation in extracurricular activities and improved wellbeing among participants. The committee acknowledged the success of the FEAST programme and discussed ways to expand its reach.

School Governance

The committee reviewed the document on School Governance - Roles and Responsibilities of Governing Boards and the Relationship between the. The discussion focused on the importance of effective governance in schools and the need for clear roles and responsibilities. The committee emphasized the role of governing boards in ensuring accountability and improving educational outcomes.

Other Reports and Updates

The committee also reviewed the Public reports pack and the Agenda frontsheet for the meeting, which included various updates and information relevant to the committee's work.