The Children & Families Scrutiny Committee met to review the mid-year performance and financial position of the Children, Families & Education portfolio, and to consider strategies for responding to the council's medium-term financial plan. The committee also reviewed several key strategies and reports concerning the sufficiency of children's care placements, safeguarding, the virtual school, early help, and the progress of family hubs.

2024/25 Mid-Year (Quarter 2) Portfolio Performance and Resources Report: Children, Families & Education

The committee was scheduled to consider the 2024/25 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA) for the Children, Families and Education Portfolio. This mid-year report focused on the delivery of portfolio priorities from April to September 2024, including forecast performance and financial data, and an update on the portfolio savings programme. The committee was asked to review progress against key projects, outcomes, targets, and budgets, identify areas for corrective action, and highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet. The report also aimed to identify areas of strong performance and good practice that could be shared across other services.

Responding to Our Medium-Term Financial Plan

A report was presented outlining the strategic approach to responding to the medium-term financial plan. It detailed budget proposals being considered by the Cabinet to address financial and demand challenges, enable longer-term transformation, and ensure the delivery of shared strategic partnership ambitions. The Scrutiny Committee was invited to comment on the report and the proposals relevant to its remit.

Sufficiency Strategy for Children in Care

The committee was scheduled to review a refreshed Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy for the period 2024-2027. This strategy sets out the council's needs and approach to ensuring sufficient homes for children and young people in care. It is a key document contributing to the Children and Young People Plan 2024-2027 and the Corporate Parenting Strategy. The strategy aims to ensure that Stockport safeguards, either through direct provision or commissioned services, a range of placements sufficient to meet the needs of all children in care.

Safeguarding Partnership Annual Report

A joint report from the Safeguarding Partnership Manager and the Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Board was presented, detailing the work undertaken by safeguarding partners between April 2023 and March 2024. The committee was asked to comment on and note the report, which outlines the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements, the contribution of each partner, themes from scrutiny and audits, the impact on outcomes for children and families, and learning from serious incidents.

Virtual School Annual Report

The committee was to consider the annual report of the Stockport Virtual School. This report provides details on the priorities of the Stockport Virtual School and its Headteacher, informed by statutory and non-statutory guidance. The committee was asked to comment on and note the report.

Early Help Strategy

A refreshed version of the Early Help Strategy, originally launched in 2021, was presented for consideration. This strategy contributes to the delivery of the Children and Young People Plan 2024-2027 and the Neighbourhood and Prevention Programme, focusing on ensuring residents receive the right help at the right time and reducing the need for crisis intervention. The committee was asked to comment on and note the report.

Family Hubs

The report on Family Hubs highlighted the progress and impact of these hubs in Stockport during their first 12 months. It identified key achievements and areas for development to support their growth. The committee was asked to comment on and note the report.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The committee was presented with a report outlining planned agenda items for future meetings and Forward Plan items within the committee's remit. Members were invited to consider the information and propose any additional agenda items for future meetings.