The Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee of County Durham Council was scheduled to discuss the financial outturn for Children and Young People's Services, performance management for the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year, and the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people in County Durham.

Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in County Durham

The committee was scheduled to receive a presentation on Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in County Durham. This presentation, delivered by the General Manager of Children and Young People's Services for County Durham and Tees Valley, was expected to cover the provision of CAMHS and the i-THRIVE framework, which aims to provide a whole-system, evidence-based approach to supporting families with their emotional wellbeing and mental health needs. The i-THRIVE framework distinguishes between treatment and support, and aims to involve children, young people, and their families as active decision-makers. The presentation was also expected to detail the current waiting times for triage, assessment, and support within CAMHS, as well as performance against national access standards for specialist services like eating disorder treatment. Neurodevelopmental assessments and regulatory activity, including a NICHE visit and a CQC inspection, were also on the agenda.

Children and Young People's Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

A report from the Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services was scheduled to inform the committee about interventions to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people across County Durham. This report was to be accompanied by a presentation from the Public Health Strategic Manager, detailing the support and services available within the i-THRIVE framework, specifically focusing on the thriving, getting advice, and getting help tiers. The presentation was intended to provide an opportunity for discussion on the help and support available to children, young people, and their parents or carers, and to clarify where individuals can be signposted for assistance. The report highlighted that improving mental health, wellbeing, and resilience is a priority for the Health and Wellbeing Board, with an ambition to reduce the number of people in County Durham who self-report high levels of anxiety.

Quarter Three 2025/2026 Forecast of Revenue and Capital Outturn for Children and Young People's Services

The committee was scheduled to review the Quarter Three forecast outturn position for Children and Young People's Services (CYPS) for the 2025/2026 financial year. The report indicated a projected overspend of £8.136 million, representing a 3.6% overspend against the revised annual budget. This overspend was primarily attributed to an £11.599 million overspend within the Children's Social Care budget, particularly concerning Children in Care (CiC) placements. The report detailed an increase in CiC numbers, with a significant portion of these placements being family-based. Underspends were noted in other areas, including the Home to School Transport budget. The report also provided an analysis of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), highlighting a forecast overspend of £18.899 million in the High Needs Block, with significant pressures in post-16 provision, mainstream top-up funding, and alternative provision.

Quarter Three 2025/2026 Performance Management

A report from the Chief Executive was scheduled to provide an update on progress towards achieving the strategic ambitions and objectives set out in the Council Plan 2025-2030. The report focused on performance data available as of 31 December 2025, aligning key messages with the council's strategic ambitions. Under the Supercharging Our Economy ambition, the report noted that the proportion of young people aged 16-17 undertaking an apprenticeship remained higher in County Durham compared to regional and national averages, and that the percentage of young people in education, employment, or training (EET) had increased. However, it also highlighted that the percentage of children achieving a good level of development in Early Years and meeting expected standards in reading, writing, and maths at Key Stage 2 were below national and regional benchmarks. Under the Caring For Our People ambition, the report indicated positive performance in children's social care, with timely assessments exceeding national and regional benchmarks. It also noted the success of Family Hubs, with increasing registrations and attendance. However, the report also highlighted high demand in statutory children's social care, with increasing numbers of children on child protection plans and entering care, often with more complex needs. The number of children electively home educated had also risen.