The Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss home to school transport policy, the corporate parenting strategy and the annual report of the director of social services. The committee will also review the decisions made at their previous meeting and their forward work programme.

Blaenau Gwent Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2030

The committee will be asked to consider the Blaenau Gwent Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025–2030, a 5-year action plan, and a promotional video for the council website.

Corporate parenting is a statutory responsibility requiring the council and its partners to act as any good parent would in supporting care experienced children and young people.

The strategy sets out commitments, promises and principles, aligned to the Welsh Government Corporate Parenting Charter – A promise for Wales 2023. It is structured around 11 core principles and nine promises which directly align to the Welsh Government Corporate Parenting Charter (2023) which was signed by the Elected Member for Social Services and the Chief Executive in August 2024.

The report pack states that the strategy and action plan reflect Blaenau Gwent's commitments as a Marmot Council¹ to reduce health inequalities, and to address inequalities through whole system alignment and early intervention and preventative approaches. The report pack indicates that extensive consultation has been undertaken to develop the strategy and action plan, including with care experienced children and young people, the Blaenau Gwent Corporate Parenting Board, elected members, all council directorates, senior and corporate leaders, ABUHB², third sector partners and the Welsh Government. The report pack lists three options for recommendation:

• To support the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025–2030, the 5 Year Action Plan and video and recommend their adoption by Cabinet; and agree to receive annual progress updates on delivery.
• To endorse the Strategy, Action Plan and video but recommend amendments prior to submission to Cabinet and Council.
• Not to endorse the Strategy or Action Plan.

Home to School and Post 16 Transport Policy Review 2026 - 2027

The committee will be asked to consider the Home to School and Post 16 Transport Policy 2026/27. Councils are required to adopt and publish this policy document by 1 October 2025.

The council's policy must be made available:

• on the council's website
• to parents on request
• in public libraries
• distributed to parents of pupils who are in the final year of school and may transfer to another school or educational establishment.

The current policy was published on 1 October 2024, for implementation from September 2025 for the 2025/26 academic session. The report pack states that Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council is more generous in respect of home to school transport entitlement than any other local authority in Wales and the Welsh Government statutory limits, and also offers a non-statutory travel grant for Post 16 learners of £150.

The policy has been reviewed by the Education Transport and Inclusion teams. Changes and additions are detailed in red within the appended policy document, and include:

• Amendment of the date to reflect the academic year to which the policy applies.
• Replacement of the term ALN pupil³ with pupil with a LA IDP⁴ throughout the document.
• Updates to clarify the qualifying criteria for pupils with ALN.
• Updates to clarify the position regarding the process if transport is unable to be provided to pupils in respite accommodation.
• Updates to include the arrangements if the council is able to offer a personal transport budget to those pupils where the council has been unable to secure an external transport provider.
• Updates to include the offer of Concessionary Travel on a temporary basis.
• Updates to include the statement on Post 16 transport. The report pack lists two options for recommendation:
• To consider the Home to School and Post 16 Transport Policy 2026/27 and recommend it to Cabinet for approval.
• To consider the Home to School and Post 16 Transport Policy 2026/27 and provide any comments or amendments to be incorporated prior to recommending it to Cabinet for approval.

The report pack notes that Blaenau Gwent is now the only council in Wales that offers transport arrangements above the statutory requirements. It is proposed to undertake a public consultation to revert to statutory distances in the autumn/spring term.

Annual Report of the Director of Social Services 2024/2025 (Children's Services)

The committee will be asked to consider the Annual Report of the Director of Social Services 2024/2025 in respect of Children's Services.

The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 places a statutory duty on all local authorities to produce an annual report on the discharge of its social services functions.

The report will be considered by the Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Committee in respect of Children's Services and by the Adult, Communities and Well-being Scrutiny Committee, in respect of Adult Services.

The report pack lists two options for recommendation:

• Recommend that Council approve the publication of the Annual Report of the Director of Social Services 2024/25.
• Consider the detail contained in the Annual Report of the Director of Social Services 2024/2025 and make appropriate recommendations for amendment prior to approval and publication.

Forward Work Programme – 11th November 2025

The committee will be asked to review their forward work programme for the meeting on 11 November 2025, which includes:

• Improving Schools Programme - to provide an update on any inspection report findings and progress within schools that are causing concern or subject to council intervention.
• Safe Reduction of Children Looked After Strategy - to consider the strategy and recommend approval.

Other items

The committee will be asked to receive the decisions of the Children, Young People & Families Scrutiny Committee held on 1 July 2025, and to receive the action sheet arising from that meeting.