The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Leicestershire Council met on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, to discuss proposals for expanding community-based support for early years children with additional needs, review the Building Education Services Together programme plan, and consider the Oakfield Short Stay School and the Quarter 3 2025-26 performance report.

Consultation on Expanding Community Based Support for Early Years Children with Additional Needs

The committee was scheduled to consider proposals aimed at creating more accessible and inclusive Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) nursery places across Leicestershire. The report outlined a plan to increase inclusion support and funding for children aged 0-4 with additional needs, enabling greater access to mainstream provisions and reducing reliance on specialist nurseries. This approach aligns with the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015, as well as the Council's SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2025-2028. The proposal suggested that by expanding specialist support within early years services, the Council would no longer need to commission places at the four existing specialist nurseries: Menphys (Sketchley Hill and Wigston), Oasis Retreat in Melton Mowbray, and Lift Beacon in Loughborough. The report highlighted that the current specialist nursery model costs approximately £1.3 million annually, with a projected increase to £1.5 million in 2026/27, and that this funding could be reinvested into mainstream settings. A public consultation on these proposals had concluded on 22 February 2026, with a further report to be considered by the Cabinet on 24 March 2026.

Building Education Services Together: Programme Plan

The committee was set to receive an overview of the Building Education Services Together (BEST) programme plan, which aims to support the 2026–2030 departmental plan for Children and Family Services. This programme is designed to align with national SEND reforms focusing on early intervention, local provision, fairness, effectiveness, and partnership. The BEST programme aims to strengthen inclusive practice, improve service performance, and ensure a sense of belonging in all educational settings. It also focuses on early support for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs to prevent escalation and improve outcomes, while also enhancing the financial sustainability of the High Needs Block. The programme has identified six strategic priorities projected to achieve savings of £48 million over four years, with a stretched target of £66 million. These priorities include enhancing graduated offers with outreach support, ceasing EHCPs where provision ceases, expanding specialist provision, reviewing the Early Years SEND support offer, reviewing the Educated Other Than at School (EOTAS) policy, and advancing smarter commissioning, procurement, and demand management.

Oakfield Short Stay School

The report provided information on changes to Oakfield Short Stay School and how the Council would fulfil its statutory duty to ensure sufficient high-quality places for excluded pupils or those at risk of exclusion. This duty is outlined in section 19 of the Education Act 1996. The report noted that the Secondary Education Inclusion Partnerships had ceased operation, leading to a review of the buildings used by secondary provisions. Due to updated guidance and the changing educational landscape, the existing sites were deemed unsuitable for current and future demands. Temporary arrangements had been put in place, and the secondary Oakfield estate was under review to ensure suitable buildings. The report highlighted that a significant percentage of pupils attending Oakfield Short Stay School have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or Special Educational Needs (SEN). The Oakfield Short Stay School has developed a graduated approach, offering preventative advice, outreach, two-day placements, and five-day provisions for permanently excluded pupils, aiming for consistency across Leicestershire.

Quarter 3 2025-26 Performance Report

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Children and Family Services Department's performance for the period of October to December 2025 (Quarter 3). The report presented performance data against the priority areas identified in the Children and Family Services Departmental Plan. Key performance indicators included the percentage of children becoming subject to a child protection plan for a second or subsequent time, which had increased to 22.6%. The percentage of re-referrals to Children's Social Care within 12 months was 23.2%, placing Leicestershire in the fourth quartile of local authorities. The percentage of assessments completed within 45 days remained stable at 88.1%, placing the council in the second quartile. Performance for care leavers aged up to 21 in suitable accommodation was 96.2%, and in education, employment, or training was 63.3%, both placing Leicestershire in the top quartile. The report also noted an increase in the number of children Electively Home Educated (EHE), reaching 1,320 at the end of Q3 2025/26, an increase of 12% compared to the previous year. The percentage of young people aged 16-17 not in education, employment, or training (NEET) was 1.2%.