The Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee met to review the progress of the Child and Youth Justice Service, discuss the Education Strategy and attainment data, and consider the committee's work programme. Key decisions included supporting the Child and Youth Justice Service's priorities for 2025-2026 and noting updates on the SEND Improvement Programme.

Child and Youth Justice Service

Georgine Lee, Head of Service for Fostering, Adoption and Adolescent Services, presented an overview of the Child and Youth Justice Service (CYJS). The service is a multi-agency partnership, jointly funded by Lancashire County Council, the police, health, and probation services, with additional grant funding from the Youth Justice Board. It employs approximately 90 staff and works with around 500 children annually, covering prevention, diversion, and statutory interventions.

Key strengths highlighted included a robust multi-agency collaboration, effective support for accommodation and mental health needs, and innovative community projects. The service has seen notable achievements in reducing first-time entrants to the youth justice system and custodial sentences. However, challenges remain, particularly with rising re-offending rates and a high number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

The CYJS is focusing on improving data sharing, workforce development, and multi-agency strategies to address serious youth violence and NEET rates. Ongoing preparation for inspections and continuous improvement in governance and service delivery are also priorities. The committee was asked to support the service's priorities for 2025-2026 and identify further ways to support the service.

During the discussion, Councillor Mackenzie Ritson raised concerns about the timeliness of KPI data and the representation of re-offending rates. Councillor Samara Barnes inquired about progress in reducing the criminalisation of looked-after children and the embedding of restorative practices. Councillor Andy Blake asked about the engagement of re-offenders with prevention and diversion programmes. Councillor Prof. Michael Lavalette questioned the reasons for higher offence rates in specific districts and the inclusion of faith mapping in serious youth violence strategies, as well as the scope of work on harmful sexualised behaviour. Councillor Steve Rigby asked about the financial elements of the service and cost comparisons with other authorities. Eva asked about geographical variations in crime rates and the reasons for lower custody and NEET rates compared to national averages. Councillor Mark Wade questioned if lower custody rates contributed to higher re-offending rates.

In response, Georgine Lee explained the use of a Power BI dashboard for month-on-month data tracking and the 18-month period required to measure re-offending. She confirmed that plans are joined up across different services to avoid duplication in addressing NEET figures. Regarding priorities, she clarified they relate to areas of development. On reducing the criminalisation of looked-after children, she detailed joint work with children's social care and wider partnerships, including a strategic data-sharing initiative and the embedding of restorative and trauma-informed approaches. She acknowledged the need to investigate the engagement of re-offenders with prevention and diversion services and the specific reasons for higher offence rates in South Ribble. The faith mapping was explained as part of understanding community demographics in relation to serious youth violence, particularly concerning disproportionality in ethnic backgrounds. The harmful sexualised behaviour work was described as a one-to-one intervention aimed at early identification and prevention. Regarding financial elements, it was noted that while not a KPI, budget information is available. The geographical variations in crime were attributed to demographics and community needs, and lower custody rates were linked to the strength of prevention and diversion offers. The committee recommended that the Youth Justice Plan be presented to Cabinet for approval in May 2026 and that the annual report be considered earlier in the work programme in future. Councillor Ritson also requested that engaging community groups be added as a recommendation.

Education Strategy, Annual Report and Attainment Data

Abi Hardy, Head of Education Improvement, presented the attainment data for Lancashire schools in summer 2025, the annual report of the Education Improvement Service, and the draft Education Strategy, The Lancashire Way. The committee was asked to note these updates and make recommendations for the Education Strategy to be presented at Cabinet in March 2026 for ratification.

The attainment data indicated that Lancashire's performance remained below national averages across all key areas, with the gap being larger in early years and narrowing as children progress through the system. This underperformance is attributed to factors including deprivation and rurality, but also lags behind regional and statistical neighbours.

The annual report highlighted the Education Improvement Service's achievements, including supporting schools to improve Ofsted grades, delivering extensive professional development, and improving school attendance. Initiatives such as the Red Rose Maths and English programmes, and targeted attendance interventions, were noted as successful.

The Lancashire Way education strategy outlines a vision for education in Lancashire focused on partnership, inclusion, and high expectations. It aims to develop a culture where all members of the education community feel valued and empowered, drawing on evidence-based practices and prioritising early intervention and locally driven change. Key priorities include early years, attendance, transitions, outcomes for vulnerable groups, and inclusive practice.

During the discussion, Councillor Samara Barnes inquired about the link between nursery hour uptake and early years struggles in specific areas like Burnley, Pendle, and Hyndburn, and requested details on immediate actions to address these gaps. Councillor Fiona Duke asked about changes in the attainment gap between boys and girls at high school age and the disparity between disadvantaged boys and girls. Councillor Ritson questioned the comparison between academy-run and county-run schools and the management of NEET funding. Millie asked about the impact of parents not engaging in early years education and support for disadvantaged GCSE students facing barriers like transportation or work. Councillor Mark Wade asked about the impact of English as an additional language on early years grades and the support provided.

Abi Hardy responded by confirming that uptake figures in deprived areas are not as strong as elsewhere and that there is a connection between uptake and attainment. Immediate actions include making training free for early years settings and focusing on district-based improvements. She confirmed that the gender attainment gap persists and that the gap for disadvantaged boys and girls is the same. Regarding maintained schools versus academies, it was noted that maintained schools perform better, but academies often take over schools that were already struggling. The issue of NEET funding being moved to districts was acknowledged, and the council works with colleges on alternative provision. The importance of employability skills was recognised as being detailed within the strategy. The impact of English as an additional language was discussed, with the service providing support, but the primary issue being speech and language development in general.

The committee noted the updates and recommended that the Education Strategy be presented to Cabinet in March 2026 for ratification. Data on early years attainment for all districts and attainment comparisons between maintained schools and academies were requested.

Children, Families and Skills Work Programme 2025/26

The committee received the work programme for 2025/26, which included updates on formal written responses from Cabinet members regarding previous recommendations. These responses covered the SEND Priority Action Plan, Corporate Parenting, the Lancashire House Project, and Where Our Children Live. The Fostering Annual Report was also noted. Key lines of inquiry for the next meeting on 25 February 2026 were discussed, focusing on school attendance, exclusion, school place planning, and the children missing education and alternative provision strategy.

Councillor Ablett inquired about the progress of a motion passed by full council concerning educational outcomes in relation to poverty and white working-class boys. It was confirmed that the Chief Executive is responsible for setting up a conference on this matter and that plans are in progress.

The committee noted the work programme and the responses from Cabinet members.

SEND Improvement Programme December 2025 Update

Paul Turner, Director of Education, Culture & Skills, provided an update on the SEND Improvement Programme. He explained that the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) is increasing as expected, due to the service building capacity to process assessments. While the number of plans in backlog had increased from October to November, this was contextualised by the significant progress made in reducing the backlog of Educational Psychology (EP) assessments, with EP advice now being allocated on time. A secondary bulge in the workflow is anticipated as EHCPs move towards finalisation in the spring. Additional special school places are being created, and recruitment into the SEND workforce has been successful.

Councillor Mackenzie Ritson requested data on the historical increase in EHCP requests and asked for an opinion on the unprecedented rate of parents seeking assessments in the last 24 months. He also asked for data comparing maintained schools and academies. Councillor Barnes expressed pleasure at the progress but noted a disconnect between system transformation and the reality on the ground for families. Councillor Fiona Duke suggested that increased awareness of neurodiversity and the impact of the pandemic may be contributing to the rise in EHCP requests, viewing this as a positive development in children receiving necessary support. Eva noted that the data and charts were helpful and requested that the table showing red lines be provided at each meeting.

Paul Turner confirmed that data going back to 2014 would be provided, noting a slight growth in requests between 2014 and 2020, with a significant rise since the pandemic. He acknowledged parental fears about potential legislative changes impacting the current system as a driver for increased requests. He also confirmed that communication has improved, and while acknowledging the ongoing difficulties for families currently in the system, he stated that progress is being made. Councillor Duke's point about increased awareness and the positive impact of the pandemic on parents' understanding of their children's needs was acknowledged. The committee requested that the SEND data and charts be provided regularly.

The committee noted the update on the SEND Improvement Programme.

Urgent Business

No urgent business was raised.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee was scheduled for Wednesday, 25 February 2026, at 10:30 am in Committee Room C, County Hall, Preston.