John Hawkins

Children's Select Committee Non-elected, non-voting

Children's Select Committee - Wednesday 3 September 2025 10.30 am

The Children's Select Committee met to discuss the Safety Valve programme, Ofsted judgements, short breaks for children with additional needs, and the Families First Partnership Programme. The committee expressed concerns about rising EHCPs[^2] and sought ways to assist with the issue. They also agreed to revisit the short breaks offer in 12 months.

Children's Select Committee Non-elected, non-voting

Children's Select Committee - Wednesday 16 July 2025 10.30 am

The Children's Select Committee met on 16 July 2025, to discuss Ofsted judgements, school attendance, the Schools Forum, the Corporate Parenting Panel, youth homelessness, educational performance, out of county education and the committee's forward work programme. The committee agreed to continue to receive the school Ofsted judgements as a regular report, and also agreed to receive a briefing on the new inspection framework. The committee also agreed to continue to receive the Working Together to Improve School Attendance report, and requested that longer term trends and a separate report on exclusions and trends be included.

Schools Forum

Schools Forum - Thursday 12 June 2025 1.30 pm

The Wiltshire Schools Forum met virtually to discuss budget monitoring, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) transformation, and funding proposals for the upcoming financial year. The forum agreed to note the final out-turn budget monitoring position, the SEND transformation update, and the Families and Children's Transformation (FACT) Programme update. Members also approved consultation questions for maintained schools regarding budget delegation and a consultation on transferring funds from the schools block to the high needs block for 2026-27, including consulting on reducing the Minimum Per Pupil Funding Level (MPPFL).

Children's Select Committee

Children's Select Committee - Wednesday 11 June 2025 10.30 am

The Children's Select Committee met to elect a chairman and vice-chairman, and to discuss the committee's work programme. Councillor Laura Mayes was elected chairman, and Councillor Denise Bates was elected vice-chairman. The committee agreed to develop a work programme over time, and to hold a rapid scrutiny meeting regarding short breaks for children and young people with additional needs.

Children's Select Committee

Children's Select Committee - Wednesday 12 March 2025 10.30 am