The Children's Select Committee of Wiltshire Council met on Thursday 13 November 2025 to discuss a range of important issues concerning children and young people in the county. Key topics included updates on the Safety Valve programme, school attendance, and the council's annual adoption report. The committee also received reports on education performance outcomes, safeguarding, and Department for Education updates.

Safety Valve Programme

An update report on the Safety Valve Programme was presented, highlighting the ongoing financial pressures on the High Needs Block, which funds support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The report indicated that the High Needs Block deficit is forecast to grow significantly, and the council's plan to address this is currently off-track. A revised plan with short-term interventions has been developed, aiming to balance the High Needs Block by March 2031. The report noted that the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) continues to rise, contributing to increased costs, particularly for independent sector placements. A strategic review of the High Needs Block Sustainability Plan is underway to understand the reasons for the current trajectory and explore potential solutions. The Department for Education (DfE) has been informed of the revised plan, and while they are satisfied with the council's efforts, the financial risk remains with Wiltshire Council.

School Attendance Update

A report was presented summarising progress towards implementing the statutory guidance 'Working Together to Improve School Attendance 2024'. The update detailed various activities undertaken during the 2025-2026 academic year, including the implementation of an attendance dashboard, engagement with schools on data sharing, and the completion of targeting support meetings through the Education Welfare Service. New roles, such as Attendance Re-engagement Officers and EBSA Mentors, have been introduced to address concerns related to absence, particularly for children with SEND. Co-production sessions for the Wiltshire Attendance Strategy 2026 have also taken place with various stakeholders. The report included detailed attendance data for Wiltshire schools, comparing it to national and regional averages, and highlighted areas of strength and those requiring further attention, such as secondary school absence and severe absence rates.

Department for Education (DfE) Updates

A summary of updates and changes from the Department for Education between September and November 2025 was provided. This included information on record attendance gains and their potential economic benefits, government reforms to protect children from harm, and the stabilisation of GCSE and vocational results. The report also covered the expansion of government-funded childcare, efforts to crack down on bad behaviour and boost attendance, and the introduction of Martyn's Law for education settings to prepare for terrorism. Additionally, updates were provided on the proposed ban on high-caffeine energy drinks for under 16s, statutory guidance on children missing education, a dental health drive, the expansion of free breakfast clubs, and a focus on reading standards in secondary schools. Wiltshire's position and response to each of these DfE initiatives were outlined.

Education Performance Outcomes Annual Report, Academic Year 2024-25 - KS2 Statutory Outcomes

An Education Performance Outcome Report for primary education (Key Stage 2) for the academic year 2024-2025 was presented. The report, which is the outcome of a rapid scrutiny group, analysed data from the DfE across various assessments, including Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Good Level of Development (GLD), Phonics, Multiplication Tables Check (MTC), and Key Stage 2 (KS2) outcomes in Reading, Writing, Maths, and Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling (GPS). The report identified key strengths, such as Wiltshire's consistently strong performance in EYFS GLD and improvements in KS2 maths, particularly for learners with additional needs. However, areas for improvement were also highlighted, including a decrease in the proportion of pupils achieving the phonics standard at Year 1 and KS2 outcomes generally being below national averages. Persistent attainment gaps for disadvantaged learners, those with English as an Additional Language (EAL), and minority ethnic groups were noted as significant concerns. The report also detailed actions planned for 2025-26 and beyond to improve outcomes, including school improvement frameworks, mainstream inclusion support, and subject-specific hubs.

Safeguarding Vulnerable People Partnership Annual Report 2024-2025

A presentation was scheduled on the Safeguarding Vulnerable People Partnership (SVPP) Annual Report, focusing on its relevance to children and young people. The SVPP is Wiltshire's multi-agency safeguarding arrangement, bringing together the work of the Safeguarding Adults Board, the Community Safety Partnership, and safeguarding children activities. The report provides an update on the partnership's five key priorities: domestic abuse, exploitation, safeguarding unborn babies and under 1s, transitional safeguarding, and social, emotional, and mental health needs. It also details case review activity, including local learning events and the sharing of best practice. The committee was asked to be aware of how the council works with partners to safeguard children, be assured that statutory duties are being discharged, and consider if further detail on the SVPP's work would be beneficial in the future.

Wiltshire Council Annual Adoption Report 2024-2025

The council's Annual Adoption Report for 2024-2025 was presented for review. The report details the management arrangements, outcomes, priorities, and finances of Wiltshire's adoption service. It highlights that Adoption West, the Regional Adoption Agency commissioned to provide adoption services, has seen an increase in approved adopters. The report indicates that Wiltshire's adoption performance remains strong, with figures generally performing better than national, regional, and statistical neighbour averages, particularly in the timeliness of children moving in with adoptive families. However, slight increases in timescales across key indicators were noted, with reasons for delays often relating to protracted care proceedings or the need to find suitable matches for harder-to-place children. The report also discussed challenges in recruiting adopters from minority ethnic groups and the impact of adoption disruptions. The committee was asked to approve the report and consider its contents against the Corporate Parenting Strategic Priorities.

Cabinet Member and Portfolio Holders' Update

A verbal update was scheduled from the Cabinet Member and Portfolio Holders, providing an overview of recent news, successes, or milestones in their respective areas that may not require a full agenda item. This also served as an opportunity to discuss matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

Directors' Update

A verbal update was scheduled from Directors, highlighting key issues, successes, or milestones in their areas of responsibility. This was also an opportunity to discuss matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

Forward Work Programme

The committee was asked to note the attached documents outlining the relevant items from the overview and scrutiny forward work programme and the latest version of the strategy list for the Children, Education and Skills directorate. This provides an overview of planned future discussions and scrutiny activities.