The Children & Families Scrutiny Committee of Stockport Council met on Wednesday 11 June 2025 to review the performance of the Children, Families and Education portfolio for the 2024/25 year, consider the draft portfolio agreement for 2025/26, and discuss strategies related to corporate parenting, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and early years support. The committee also reviewed the findings of a scrutiny review panel on early years prevention and discussed the selection of future scrutiny review topics and the committee's work programme.

Portfolio Performance and Resources – Year-End Report 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to consider the Year-End Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for the Children, Families and Education portfolio, covering the period from October 2024 to March 2025. This report, based on the 2024/25 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA), was intended to provide forecast performance and financial data, an update on the portfolio savings programme, and highlight key areas for corrective action. The committee was asked to review progress against key projects, outcomes, targets, and budgets, and to identify any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet.

Portfolio Performance and Resources – Draft Portfolio Agreement 2025/26

A joint report from the Director of Children's Services and the Director of Education, Work & Skills was presented, outlining the draft 2025/26 Agreement for the Children, Families and Education Portfolio. This agreement, aligned with the refreshed Council Plan 2024-27, details the key priorities, delivery programmes, and performance measures for the upcoming year. The committee was asked to review and comment on this draft agreement.

Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2027

The committee was scheduled to consider the Corporate Parenting Strategy for 2025-2027, developed in co-production with Stockport's children in care and care-experienced young people. The strategy sets out the council's vision and pledge to provide these young people with the experiences, opportunities, and support needed for happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. It outlines five key priorities: supporting stable, loving homes; ensuring safety; fostering positive relationships and community engagement; promoting good physical and emotional wellbeing; and supporting engagement in education and aspirations. The strategy also details a plan for delivering these priorities and how their impact will be measured.

SEND Sufficiency Plan 2025 to 2030

A report from the Director of Education, Works & Skills introduced the overarching SEND Sufficiency Plan for 2025-2030. This plan addresses the council's statutory responsibility to commission sufficient high-quality school places for children with SEND, ensuring the right number and type of places are available in the right locations and at the right time. The plan acknowledges that sufficiency involves practice, provision, and places, and outlines key projects to be undertaken over the next five years, with a focus on creating accessible, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments. The committee was asked to comment on and note the plan.

Report of the Scrutiny Review Panel: Prevention – Support in the Early Years (-9 months to 5 years)

The committee was scheduled to consider the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel on Prevention – Support in the Early Years (-9 months to 5 years). This review examined the demographics of Stockport's early years population, universal support stages, current pathways for additional support through Family Hubs, family engagement with services, and identified system challenges and potential improvements. The report details the review methodology, findings from panel sessions, witness case studies, and presents recommendations for enhancing communication, informing families about support, addressing inequality, and strengthening the role of health visitors. The committee was asked to comment on and note the report, and endorse the recommendations to Cabinet.

Scrutiny Review Topic Selection 2025/26

A report from the Assistant Director for Governance outlined the process for selecting topics for Scrutiny Review Panels for the 2025/26 municipal year. It provided a framework for undertaking reviews, emphasizing the importance of selecting timely and relevant topics aligned with council priorities. The report detailed potential sources for topic identification, pitfalls to avoid, and the process for testing potential areas of work. The committee was recommended to consider the selection of a topic and nominate members to sit on a proposed Scrutiny Review Panel.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The Assistant Director for Governance presented a report detailing planned agenda items for the committee's future meetings and Forward Plan items within its remit. This included entries from the May 2025 Forward Plan concerning the Healthy Child Programme Cooperation Agreement 2025-2030 and the Schools Finance Settlement 2026/27. The committee was invited to consider the information and put forward any additional agenda items for future meetings.