The Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board of Staffordshire Council met on Wednesday 22 October 2025 to discuss the Education Highlight Report, the Families First Partnership Programme Governance, and the Partnership's Forward Plan. The Board approved the Families First Partnership Programme Governance, and discussed the Education Highlight Report and Forward Plan, noting actions and updates.

Education Highlight Report

The Board reviewed the Education Highlight Report, which provided an overview of educational performance and key priorities within Staffordshire. The report covered a range of topics, including school improvement, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and early years education.

Key points from the discussion included:

• School Improvement: The report highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve schools across the county, with a focus on raising standards and ensuring that all pupils have access to a high-quality education.
• SEND: The Board discussed the challenges and opportunities in providing effective support for children and young people with SEND. Councillor Janet Higgins, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, emphasised the importance of early identification and intervention to meet the needs of these pupils.
• Early Years Education: The report recognised the crucial role of early years education in shaping children's future outcomes. The Board discussed strategies to improve the quality and accessibility of early years provision, particularly for disadvantaged children.

Families First Partnership Programme Governance

The Board approved the Families First Partnership Programme Governance [Families First Partnership Programme Governance CFSP Oct 25], which sets out the framework for how different agencies and organisations will work together to support vulnerable families in Staffordshire. The programme aims to provide early help and prevent problems from escalating, ensuring that families receive the right support at the right time.

The key elements of the governance arrangements include:

• Partnership Working: The programme emphasises the importance of strong partnership working between different agencies, including the council, health services, schools, and voluntary organisations.
• Early Help: The programme prioritises early help and prevention, with a focus on identifying families who need support and providing them with timely and effective interventions.
• Accountability: The governance arrangements set out clear lines of accountability for the programme, ensuring that partners are responsible for delivering their agreed contributions.

Forward Plan

The Board discussed the Partnership's Forward Plan [Forward Plan 2025-26], which sets out the key priorities and activities for the coming year. The plan covers a range of areas, including:

• Improving Outcomes for Children and Families: The plan includes a range of initiatives to improve outcomes for children and families in Staffordshire, such as reducing child poverty, improving educational attainment, and promoting health and well-being.
• Strengthening Partnership Working: The plan recognises the importance of strong partnership working and includes actions to strengthen collaboration between different agencies and organisations.
• Transforming Services: The plan sets out a vision for transforming services for children and families, with a focus on early help, prevention, and integrated working.