The Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee met on 14 January 2026 to discuss the work of the Child and Youth Justice Service, the Education Strategy, and the SEND Improvement Programme. Key discussions included an update on the Child and Youth Justice Service's work and priorities for 2025/26, an overview of attainment data and the draft The Lancashire Way Education Strategy for 2025-2028, and an update on the SEND Improvement Programme. The committee also received and confirmed the work programme for 2025/26.

Child and Youth Justice Services

The committee received an update on the work of the Lancashire Child and Youth Justice Service (CYJS), a multi-agency partnership that supports approximately 500 children annually through prevention, diversion, and statutory interventions. Georgine Lee, Head of Service for Fostering, Adoption and Adolescent Services, presented the service's overview, highlighting its strengths in multi-agency collaboration, support for accommodation and mental health needs, and 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 focused on improving data sharing, workforce development, and multi-agency strategies to address serious youth violence and NEET rates. Ongoing preparation for an HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) inspection and continuous improvement in governance and service delivery were also highlighted as priorities.

Councillor Mackenzie Ritson raised concerns about the timeliness of data and the re-offending rates, while Councillor Samara Barnes inquired about the reduction of criminalisation among looked-after children and the embedding of restorative practices. Councillor Andy Blake asked about the engagement of re-offenders with the prevention and diversion services. Councillor Prof. Michael Lavalette questioned the reasons for higher offence rates in specific districts and the inclusion of faith mapping in areas for development. Councillor Mrs Marion Atkinson also asked about the breadth of work on harmful sexualised behaviour. Councillor Steve Rigby questioned the financial aspects of the service's staffing. Eva, a Youth Council Representative, asked about crime rates in specific areas and the reasons for lower custody and NEET rates compared to national averages. Councillor Mark Wade enquired about the link between lower custody rates and higher re-offending rates.

In response, Georgine Lee explained that the service uses a Power BI dashboard for month-on-month data tracking and that re-offending data has a longer measurement period. She confirmed that plans are joined up across different services to avoid duplication in addressing NEET issues. Regarding priorities, she stated they align with areas for development. On the criminalisation of looked-after children, she detailed a joint action plan with Children's Social Care and the embedding of restorative and trauma-informed approaches. She acknowledged the concern about re-offending and stated that work is underway to understand the cohort of re-offenders and their engagement with prevention services. Regarding district-specific offence rates, she explained that analysis is ongoing, and the faith mapping was intended to understand community demographics. She also clarified the approach to harmful sexualised behaviour, focusing on early intervention.

The committee noted the work of the Child and Youth Justice Service and supported the service priorities for 2025/26, agreeing to identify further ways to support the service.

Education Strategy, Annual Report and Attainment Data

Aby Hardy, Head of Education Improvement, presented an overview of Lancashire's attainment data, the annual report of the Education Improvement Service, and the draft The Lancashire Way Education Strategy for 2025-2028. The committee was informed that Lancashire's attainment data remains below national averages across all key areas, with the gap being wider in early years and narrowing as children progress through the system. Deprivation and rurality are cited as contributing factors, but Lancashire also underperforms compared to its statistical neighbours.

Key areas of focus include early years, phonics, disadvantaged pupils, and pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). While maths performance has improved post-COVID, writing outcomes require attention. The Education Improvement Service has achieved success in supporting schools to improve their Ofsted grades, delivering professional development, and improving attendance. The Lancashire Way strategy aims to create a welcoming and aspirational education system through a place-based, partnership approach, focusing on six key priorities: early years, attendance, transitions, outcomes for vulnerable groups, and inclusive practice.

Councillor Joanne Ash raised questions about the early years attainment gap in specific districts and the immediate actions planned to address it. Councillor Samara Barnes asked about the gender attainment gap at high school age and the disparity between disadvantaged boys and girls. Councillor Fiona Duke inquired about early years education in Preston and the difference between academy and county-run schools. Millie, a Youth Council Representative, asked about the link between early years attainment and parental engagement, and support for disadvantaged pupils facing barriers to attending school. Councillor Mackenzie Ritson questioned the NEAT funding and the use of alternative provision, as well as the emphasis on employability within the education strategy. Councillor Mrs Marion Atkinson asked about the definition of local provision in the strategy and its implications for disadvantaged families.

Aby Hardy responded that uptake figures for nursery places are strong, but in areas of deprivation, take-up is lower, and there is a connection between the two. Immediate actions include making services free for early years settings and focusing on district-based improvement priorities. She confirmed that the gender attainment gap persists and that work is underway to address it, including attendance initiatives. Regarding disadvantaged pupils, she acknowledged the gap and stated that the disadvantaged girls and boys gap is the same. She agreed to provide district data for early years education. On NEAT funding, she explained that it has moved to districts, creating a patchwork of provision. She confirmed that colleges are being engaged regarding alternative provision. She acknowledged the point about employability and stated that skills development is embedded in the strategy's detail. Regarding local provision, she clarified it relates to SEND children being educated closer to home and suggested school place planning would be discussed at a future meeting.

The committee noted the updates and recommended that the Education Strategy be presented at Cabinet in March 2026 for ratification. They also requested data on early years attainment for all districts and attainment data comparing maintained schools and academies.

SEND Improvement Programme

Paul Turner, Director of Education, Culture & Skills, provided an update on the SEND Improvement Programme. He explained that the increase in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) is expected due to increased capacity in the service to process assessments. While the number of EHCPs in backlog has fluctuated, there has been a significant reduction in the backlog of Educational Psychology (EP) assessments. The committee was informed that bottlenecks have shifted from EP advice to the consultation process. Additional special school places are being created, and the SEND workforce has seen successful recruitment and retention.

Councillor Mackenzie Ritson requested historical data on EHCP requests to see the running comparison and commented on the unprecedented rate of parents seeking assessments in the last 24 months. He also asked for an opinion on the reasons behind this increase. Paul Turner confirmed that data going back to 2013 would be provided, noting that Lancashire had been behind other authorities in adapting to legislation. He suggested that fear among parents about potential changes to legislation might be driving the increase in requests. He also acknowledged the impact of the pandemic on early learning and the role of schools in referring children with additional needs.

Councillor Samara Barnes expressed her appreciation for the work being done and suggested that the rise in numbers reflects increased awareness of neurodiversity and better support for children and parents, rather than a negative trend. Eva, a Youth Council Representative, initially asked a question but then realised it had already been discussed.

The committee noted the update and requested that a regular update on the Priority Action Plan be provided at each committee meeting.

Children, Families and Skills Work Programme 2025/26

The committee received and confirmed the work programme for 2025/26. This included noting formal written responses from Cabinet Members regarding the SEND Priority Action Plan, Corporate Parenting, the Lancashire House Project, and Where Our Children Live. The Fostering Annual Report was also noted. The committee discussed key lines of inquiry for items due to be presented at the next meeting, which included school attendance, exclusion, school place planning, and children missing education/alternative provision.

Urgent Business

There was no urgent business raised at the meeting.

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.