The Children's Trust Joint Committee met on Wednesday 08 January 2025 to discuss the Northamptonshire Children's Trust's (NCT) annual review, financial plans, business plan, sector-led improvement updates, and a proposed strategic partnership for social care placement services. Key decisions included the approval of NCT's business plan for 2025/26-2028/29 and the recommendation for this plan to be noted by the full councils of North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire. The committee also approved NCT entering into a strategic partnership with Shaw Trust for social care placement services and a change to NCT's 2025/26 contract sum.

Northamptonshire Children's Trust Annual Review

The committee noted that the 2023/24 Annual Review of the Service Delivery Contract (SDC) between NCT and West and North Northamptonshire Councils, which includes the 2023/24 Annual Report, had been completed by the Strategic Group. The contents of this report were also noted. The SDC outlines the arrangements for this annual review, which aims to assess the quality of practice, outcomes for children, and the discharge of statutory functions by NCT. It also considers changes to the SDC and future contract sums. The review process involves the Operational Group agreeing the Annual Report, which is then considered by the Strategic Group.

2025/26 Contract Sum, Savings and MTFP

The committee noted the provisional 2025/26 contract sum for NCT, which was agreed at £185.329 million. This figure includes an additional £2.555 million for social work agency staff costs, which are not part of the base budget. It was noted that the intention is for these agency staff costs to reduce over time and will be regularly reviewed. The provisional contract sum excludes potential pressures from National Insurance rises, estimated at £0.809 million. The committee also noted NCT's Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2025/26 to 2027/28. Councillor Adam Brown and Councillor Jason Smithers raised concerns about the funding of the National Insurance shortfall and the potential impact of increased costs on the Children's Trust and external providers. Councillor Fiona Baker emphasised the statutory and moral obligations to adequately fund children's services. Councillor Matt Golby queried the achievability of the proposed £12.233 million savings, to which the Director of Children's Services for WNC responded with confidence, while acknowledging the risk of savings being absorbed by increasing costs. The Executive Director of Corporate Services for WNC highlighted ongoing monitoring to ensure proposed savings are delivered.

Approval of NCT's Business Plan 2025/26-2028/29

The committee approved the Northamptonshire Children's Trust Business Plan 2025/26-2028/29, noting that it was completed in line with the Service Delivery Contract and Articles of Association. The plan sets out NCT's vision, strategic objectives, and financial strategy, building on the findings of the October 2022 ILACS inspection which graded both WNC and NNC as Requires improvement to be good. The committee recommended that this business plan be noted by the full councils of North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire.

NCT Sector Led Improvement Partner Update

The committee noted the contents of the report and the work undertaken to date regarding sector-led improvement partners. Councillor Scott Smithers welcomed the report, highlighting the progress made by the Children's Trust. Councillors Smithers and Golby thanked the sector-led improvement partners (Hertfordshire County Council, North Yorkshire's children's services, and Lincolnshire children's services) for their support. Councillor Adam Brown commented on the low cost and good value for money of the SLIP work, noting that some of this support was funded by the Department for Education. Councillor Fiona Baker added that the Children's Trust had been on a long journey and it was positive to see improvements in services for children.

Approval for NCT to enter a Strategic Partnership for provision of social care placement services

The committee approved Northamptonshire Children's Trust's (NCT) entering into a strategic partnership with Shaw Trust. Councillor Fiona Baker highlighted the good work currently being conducted by Shaw Trust, specifically mentioning the positive input of children in the design and naming of accommodation. The Chief Executive of WNC noted that Shaw Trust is a not-for-profit organisation and that any savings found would be reinvested. Councillor Smithers echoed these positive comments, adding that the current environment for contracting children's homes was broken and that the partnership demonstrated the committee's commitment as corporate parents. The committee also approved a Change Control to increase NCT's 2025/26 Contract Sum by £0.322 million to address pressures outlined in the report. North Northamptonshire's legal services have been instructed to draw up the contractual arrangements for this partnership.

The meeting closed at 10:20 am.