The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel were scheduled to meet to discuss the Doncaster Youth Council work plans, the council's statutory duties and priorities for children and young people, and the panel's work plan for the coming year. The meeting was also scheduled to include a period for public statements.

Statutory Duties and Priorities

The panel was scheduled to discuss a report providing a detailed briefing on the statutory responsibilities of the local authority for children, young people and families in Doncaster. The report pack states that there are more than 200 statutory responsibilities, covering areas such as education, health, social care and safeguarding.

The report also outlines the priorities of the Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) Directorate, the rationale behind them, how they are to be delivered, and progress to date. These priorities are guided by key strategies, including the Education and Skills Strategy, launched in 2011, and the Families First Partnership Programme 2025.

The Education and Skills Strategy has five priorities:

• Best Start
• Accelerating Achievement
• A New Model of Post 16 Education
• New Skills and Pathways to Fulfilling Life and Work
• Equitable and Inclusive Learning

The Families First Partnership Programme aims to strengthen existing relationship-based practice and service delivery, and reduce the number of children entering care.

The report also details the priorities of Children's Social Care, which are focused on having the child and their lived experience at the heart of all they do.

The eight priorities set out in the Children and Young People's Plan (CYPP) 2022 – 2025 were also scheduled for discussion:

• Connecting Young People in Doncaster
• Building an Inclusive Doncaster
• Creating a Happy and Healthy Doncaster
• Providing Opportunities for Participation and Engagement
• Ensuring a Community Focused Doncaster
• Promoting a Strong Education and Skills System
• Ensuring Doncaster is a High-Quality Place to Live
• Delivering High Quality Services

Doncaster Youth Council Work Plans

The panel was scheduled to receive information about the Doncaster Youth Council and their work. According to the report pack, the Doncaster Youth Council is the strategic youth voice vehicle for Doncaster’s children and young people. Once elected, each member serves a two-year term of office. The Youth Council runs campaigns based on information gained from their peers, and attends partnership events to ensure the views of young people are listened to.

Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan

The Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan 2025/26 was scheduled to be presented to the panel.