The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Warwickshire Council met on Tuesday 21 April 2026 to discuss the draft Council Plan for 2026-30, review performance reports, and address concerns regarding children missing in care and the closure of Great Alne Primary School. Key decisions included the endorsement of the draft Council Plan for further engagement and the acknowledgement of ongoing work to improve SEND provision and address child poverty.

Draft Council Plan 2026-30

The committee extensively reviewed the draft Council Plan for 2026-30, themed Recalibrating Warwickshire. Councillor Judy Falp, Vice-Chair of the committee, highlighted the importance of staff well-being within the plan, stating, without the staff we can't do all the other things. Councillor James Norris offered a generally positive view, noting that the devil is in the detail and that the proof would be in the execution.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. Councillor Norris raised concerns about the persistently low figure of children receiving Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) within the statutory 20-week guideline, with only 24% meeting the deadline in December 2025. Councillor George Finch, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Children & Families, explained that the council is exploring new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to improve efficiency in casework. John Coleman, Executive Director for Children & Young People, added that demand for EHCPs has risen significantly, with 250 requests per month compared to 180 previously. He outlined plans to recruit six additional business support officers and develop a new EHCP system with a parent portal.

Councillor Keith Condicott expressed reservations about the plan's language, particularly the term recalibrate, suggesting evolution would be more appropriate. He also voiced concerns that the plan's focus on roads and infrastructure might detract from ensuring equitable access to good local schools for all children. Councillor Jennifer McAllister noted that the plan, while high-level, did not clearly reflect previous unanimously passed motions on SEND and child poverty.

Children Missing in Care and Social Media Use

Councillor Keith Condicott raised concerns about children missing in care, referencing a report that 41 children in care went missing in a particular month. Councillor Finch stated that while children do go missing, often from difficult circumstances, they are usually found quickly with police assistance. He assured the committee that he meets regularly with officers to address this issue. Councillor Condicott pressed for more specific data on trends and improvements, expressing dissatisfaction with the phrase mostly found.

The discussion then shifted to social media use among children in care. Councillor Condicott questioned the council's policies on social media for young people in care, asking when they are allowed to use platforms like Facebook and if they are provided with electronic devices at a young age. Councillor Finch responded that while he believes social media environments can be unsafe, he feels it is primarily a parental responsibility. He also highlighted the positive work being done in children's homes to support young people in managing their social media use, emphasizing a balanced approach and the importance of real-world experiences. Councillor Condicott expressed a desire for more concrete information on when children in care are given devices.

Great Alne Primary School Closure

The proposed closure of Great Alne Primary School was a significant point of discussion. Councillor James Norris expressed strong opposition to the decision, urging officers not to give up on the school and to explore all avenues for support. He questioned the £90,000 deficit and whether the school's £1 million reserve could be used to provide more time. Officers explained that the school had received intensive support but faced significant financial challenges and declining pupil numbers, making it financially unviable. They also noted legal restrictions on writing off deficits and the withdrawal of two academy trusts that had considered sponsorship. Councillor Norris also raised concerns about future pupil sufficiency, noting that the South Warwickshire Local Plan, which could significantly increase pupil numbers, had not yet been finalised.

Updates from Cabinet Portfolio Holders and Directors

Councillor George Finch, Portfolio Holder for Children & Families, provided an update on the positive outcomes for children's homes, with an 80% occupancy rate, and highlighted the success of the House Project, enabling one young person to move into their own tenancy. He also mentioned ongoing work on SEND reforms and foster care pay.

Councillor Wayne Briggs, Portfolio Holder for Education, reported on the successful opening of the annual SEND conference and the progress of various school capital programmes. He also confirmed the endorsement of the annual sufficiency update.

Work Programme and Forward Plan

Several items were proposed for the work programme, including a briefing on the Warwickshire Local SEND Inspection, an update on Great Alne School, and a visit to the HATAS space family hub. Councillor Jennifer McAllister reiterated the request for a visit to a children's home. Councillor Keith Condicott asked for clarification on data regarding children missing in care, and Sharon, an officer, confirmed that numbers had decreased by 10% and that all children who went missing in the past week had been found.

Other Discussions

The committee also discussed the Best Start in Life strategy, the development of the Warwickshire Child Poverty Reduction Strategy, and the draft Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-31. There was also a discussion about the potential for regional care cooperatives and the implications for placing children. The committee noted the ongoing SEND inspection and the upcoming submission of the local SEND reform plan.

The next meeting of the Children & Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for 23 June 2026.