The Children, Young People and Education Scrutiny Commission of Leicester Council met on Tuesday 14 April 2026 to discuss updates on Ofsted inspections of children's homes, the progress of Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams, and the implications of the government's Schools White Paper. The Commission noted the positive Ofsted ratings for several children's homes and received an update on the development of integrated child protection teams. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the Schools White Paper, 'Every Child Achieving and Thriving', and its impact on Leicester's approach to inclusive education for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Ofsted Inspection Update

Councillor Elaine Pantling, Assistant City Mayor for Children and Young People, introduced the update on Ofsted inspections of children's homes, highlighting the success of achieving seven mixed ratings of Outstanding and Good. The Director of Children's Social Work and Early Help provided further details, noting that all city children's homes are inspected at least annually. Nether Hall Road, which supports young people with disabilities and Autism, received an Outstanding rating, while Pine Lodge was rated Good. Leaving Care Services underwent a focused, unrated visit, with observations to be published soon. Ofsted is changing its framework, moving away from headline judgements to a leadership judgement, though ratings will still be issued without an overall local authority rating.

Discussions revealed that a new home is awaiting Ofsted registration and is expected to open in late summer, with capital funding being sought for two further homes. One of these will be located outside the city boundary, and the other will be a smaller provision for children with liberty restrictions. The primary aim for placing children outside the city is not financial, but to reduce risk and potential exploitation. The development of new homes within the city is expected to increase capacity and reduce the number of young people placed in private homes outside the city. There is an emphasis on residential care supporting independent living for young people transitioning to adulthood. The council's in-house provision is now delivering better value than private options, and a long-term strategy of five to ten years is planned to support stability and prioritise care within the city where it is safe and appropriate. Strong examples of information sharing include participation in the Regional Approval Alliance and a Peer Challenge event. The Commission agreed to note the update.

Multi-Agency Child Protection Team Progress Update

The Strategic Director for Social Care and Education and the Director of Children's Social Work and Early Help presented a report on the development of Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPTs), a key component of the government's Family First development programme. These teams are scheduled to go live in 2027 and will handle high-level work such as independent child protection chairs, complex investigations (often in conjunction with the police on Section 47 investigations), and investigating allegations against professionals. The establishment of these multi-agency teams, comprising professionals from Health, Education, Police, and experienced Social Workers, is intended to support Family Help Teams by improving oversight, strengthening information sharing, and enabling more advanced investigations.

Joint discussions are underway with Leicestershire County Council and Rutland to create a unified model that accommodates city-specific needs and future-proofs for upcoming Local Government Reorganisation. A report detailing the new model is expected to be presented to the Commission in the Autumn. Members stressed the importance of shared access to core systems, such as Police and Health systems, for real-time safeguarding work. The development of these teams is expected to improve timeliness, meeting and conference attendance, and information access. Multi-agency work will support early intervention for those at risk of entering care, including Family Group Conferencing and Multi-Systemic Therapy. There is an emphasis on maintaining consistent relationships with children and young people, with inbuilt support for existing workers. Recent figures show that Social Workers in Children in Need teams manage approximately 18 children each, with Single Assessment Teams managing around 22-23. This model will evolve with the progression to Family Help Teams, and 20 more experienced Social Workers are due to start soon. Outcomes for the multi-agency teams will be measured by factors such as the number of children prevented from entering care, serious harm incidents, and Ofsted inspections. The six local Family Help Teams will act as primary case holders, supported by a dedicated team providing expertise and capacity, while maintaining local knowledge and strong relationships. The Education sector will become a statutory partner, strengthening outcomes. The Commission agreed to note the report.

Schools White Paper

The Director for SEND and Education submitted a report summarising the implications of the government's Schools White Paper, 'Every Child Achieving and Thriving', for Leicester City. The Assistant City Mayor for Children and Young People described the White Paper as a positive and ambitious direction, noting that much of the work already underway locally aligns well with government expectations, particularly regarding inclusion and the development of Designated Specialist Provisions (DSPs). The White Paper addresses the entire school system, not just SEND, with a renewed national focus on academic standards alongside inclusion, and an expectation of more schools moving towards academy status.

The report highlighted that SEND remains a key national focus, with increasing demand and rising costs creating an unsustainable system, which the government intends to address through a ten-year reform programme. The reforms aim to ensure more children are supported within mainstream settings, with schools expected to develop internal provision and inclusive practices, supported by government policy and funding. It was emphasised that inclusion and high standards must be delivered together, with a stronger focus on early intervention, improved integration of services, and reducing reliance on specialist and independent placements. The Local Authority's role is described as a system convener, with greater responsibility placed on schools to make decisions and deliver support, backed by strengthened partnerships with health and other professionals. Leicester is considered to be in a strong position due to existing early intervention approaches, established partnerships, and access to specialist expertise. Nationally, Local Authorities will receive support with High Needs Block deficits, with central government indicating it will cover 90% of these deficits.

The scale and pace of change are expected to place significant pressure on schools and the wider system, making support for schools during this transition critical. Workforce development is a key priority, with a focus on training and an 'experts on hand' model, for which Leicester already has strong foundations. Local areas are required to submit a Local SEND Reform Plan by June 2026, with Year 1 delivery commencing in the 2026-2027 academic year. This plan will be co-produced with a wide range of stakeholders, including schools, health partners, the Integrated Care Board (ICB), parents, children, young people, and education professionals, with workshops planned across the city. Implementation will begin in the next academic year and continue through to 2027, alongside wider legislative changes, including reforms to Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) processes. A national consultation, comprising 70 questions, closes on 8th May, and members were encouraged to submit responses or feedback to Governance Services to support a coordinated council response.

During the discussion, support was expressed for the 'experts on hand' model, with concerns raised about consistency across local authorities and a request for progress and impacts to be reported back to the Commission. It was confirmed that ongoing monitoring would take place, with regular engagement with academy trust CEOs to support strategic discussions. Positive engagement from secondary schools regarding inclusion, belonging, and improving outcomes was noted. It was clarified that funding and support arrangements would apply consistently regardless of whether a child attended an academy or maintained school, with increased expectations on schools to meet needs without sole reliance on EHCPs. Element 3 funding will provide additional resources to schools for children with higher needs. The importance of engaging primary schools was raised, with reassurance that strong relationships exist and mechanisms are in place to involve all schools. Concerns were raised regarding the sufficiency of local SEND provision, and it was confirmed that while additional places are being developed, including 300 new places in mainstream schools, demand continues to exceed supply. Reducing demand through earlier intervention remains a key priority, alongside capital investment. The Commission highlighted the challenge of developing the local SEND reform plan within the required timeframe and sought clarity on the co-production approach, with confirmation that engagement had taken place and would continue. Recognition was given to the work already undertaken, particularly in relation to DSPs, with a request for assurance on the consistency of inclusive practice across mainstream schools. Specialist teachers, quality assurance mechanisms, and inclusion reviews will support monitoring and improvement. The Commission agreed that an update on the Schools White Paper and local SEND reform plan would be brought back in September, and the current council response to the national consultation would be circulated to Members.

Work Programme

The Chair reminded Members to share any items they wished to be considered for the work programme with her and the senior governance officer. The Chair thanked all commission members and officers for their support during the municipal year.

The meeting closed at 18:46.