Scrutiny

What does this select committee do?

The Family Services Select Committee reviews topics related to:

• social services for children and families
• education, training and youth services
• early years, childcare and play services
• sports education
• libraries and related services

The committee looks at these topics throughout the year by discussing reports at formal meetings, holding single-topic meetings for in-depth reviews and setting up working groups.

The committee also gathers evidence by listening to residents and experts.

Current priorities for 2025 to 2026

Priorities for the municipal year 2025 to 2026 are:

• safeguarding
• early intervention and prevention
• national SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) review
• Emotional Well-being and Mental Health Plan, one year on
• partnership working with schools
• school attendance
• continuing care and complex needs
• serious youth violence
• continuing the 0 to 18 Project, reviewing local services and how they prepare children for key transition stages at ages five, 11 and 18
• reviewing 2026 to 2027 budget proposals, transformation plans and key performance indicators for services under this committee

Read meeting papers and agendas on the council committee pages.