Agenda and minutes

In the event the fire alarm sounds, attendees will be advised to evacuate the building via the nearest fire exit and assemble at the Bottle of Notes opposite MIMA.

The Chair welcomed those present and highlighted the Council’s Fire Evacuation Procedure.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Children’s Scrutiny Panel held on 15 September 2025 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

The Panel is asked to consider:-

1.     Further evidence in the context of its current scrutiny topic - Workforce Development Strategy (SEND & Inclusion) and how this has assisted in maintaining children in Middlesbrough education provision.

2.     Next steps/lines of enquiry for its review.

The Chair welcomed the new Executive Director of Children’s Services, A Bates, to the meeting, alongside C Cannon, Interim Director of Education and Partnerships, and E Cowley, Head of Inclusion, Assessment and Review.

The Head of Inclusion, Assessment and Review provided the Panel with a presentation in relation to the SEND and Inclusion Workforce Development Strategy.  At its previous meeting on 15 September, the Panel had indicated that this was an area for further exploration in the context of its current scrutiny review.

By way of background, the Panel heard that workforce development had been a long-term focus of the improvement work for SEND and Inclusion and formed the basis of the original Middlesbrough SEND and Disability Strategy when it was introduced in 2018.  Workforce development activities covered all aspects of SEND and Inclusion across education, health and care services along with schools and settings.

The Workforce Development Strategic Group identified a number of priorities for the workforce for internal staff and wider teams across the Council, in schools and support to parents and carers.  This was supported by engagement work with schools.  Subsequently, a workforce development offer was introduced which included learning, core learning and developmental learning for the above groups.

A booklet had been developed with the Parent/Carer Forum to signpost parents to locally available training, support and development opportunities.

It was highlighted that there was also a strong quality assurance (QA) process for SEND and Inclusion which had driven the learning cycle in terms of workforce development.  The QA process included learning from peer reviews, reviews of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and activity around case audits and learning visits to providers.  Any gaps identified during the QA process were fed into the workforce development strategies.

The Panel was advised that in 2023, Middlesbrough Council received a £1.045 million grant from the Department for Education (DfE) for the roll out of the Delivering Better Value Programme.  Workforce development was identified as an opportune area as part of this work, and there was a focus on staff training and development to improve workforce skills and knowledge to positively impact on outcomes for children and to sustain longer term finances. 

The following actions were identified as part of the programme:-

·        Developing a local area graduated response (through training and workshops to build skills and knowledge of staff and external stakeholders).

·        Training, mentoring and networking opportunities for school SENCos.

·        Conferences and learning activities/events across the local area.

·        Employing a Family Liaison Officer to support parent partnerships.

·        Development of a SENCo handbook.

·        Transitions.

A SEND Ranges document, which provided a shared understanding of SEND thresholds and the provisions that children and young people with SEND may need, was developed to support stakeholders.  This contributed to a strong local area response and consistency for children with SEND to be supported locally to meet their needs. 

In terms of training, mentoring and networking opportunities for school SENDCos (Special Educational Needs/Disabilities Co-ordinator), the Panel’s attention was drawn to a SENDCo development programme delivered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/23

The Panel is asked to consider possible Terms of Reference for its current scrutiny investigation “Out of Area Specialist Provision”.

The Panel was asked to consider possible Terms of Reference for its current scrutiny investigation into Out of Area Specialist Provision.

The Chair outlined that, to date, the Panel had received evidence in relation to out of area provision from an education perspective and on the SEND and Inclusion Workforce Development.  The Chair proposed that this be extended to incorporate the Social Care element, including looking at the Social Care Workforce Development and that this should be incorporated into the Terms of Reference.

The Chair proposed to draft some suggested Terms of Reference with the Democratic Services Officer, to be circulated to the Panel prior to the next meeting, for comment.  In the meantime, should any Panel Members have any thoughts/suggestions to be included, they should be emailed to the Democratic Services Officer. 

It was highlighted that the Panel had initially suggested including the impact of pending SEND reforms within its terms of reference, however, the Government had recently announced a further delay to the SEND reforms until the new year.  The Executive Director advised that the SEND reforms would form part of the Schools White Paper and suggested providing verbal updates to the Panel as and when further information was received. 

It was further highlighted that there was currently a period of social care and health reforms which would affect vulnerable children and potentially how Council services were delivered as multi-agency working would be key.  Again, verbal updates in relation to this could be provided to the Panel as developments unfolded.

AGREED as follows:-

1.     That proposed Draft Terms of Reference be drawn up by the Chair and Democratic Services Officer for consideration and discussion at the next meeting.  These would be circulated to Panel Members prior to the next meeting.

2.     That the Executive Director of Children’s Services provide verbal updates to the Panel, as and when appropriate, in relation to:

-        SEND Reforms/Schools White Paper

-        Social Care and Health Reforms

The Chair will provide a verbal update on business conducted at the Overview and Scrutiny Board meetings held on 17 September and 22 October 2025.

The Chair provided a verbal update in relation to the business conducted at the Overview and Scrutiny Board meetings held on 17 September and 22 October 2025, namely:

OSB – 17 Sept 2025

·        Scrutiny Chairs’ updates.

·        Executive Member for Education & Culture - Provided a presentation on activity within each of the areas of her portfolio.

·        Executive Forward Plan.

·        Progress on Forward Plan actions:-

-        Development of Middlehaven Proposals to commence preparatory work for the comprehensive redevelopment of Middlehaven.

-        Capital Investment in Council Buildings Proposals to invest in major reconfiguration and repair of Council buildings.

-        Investment in Homelessness Proposals for investment alongside a social investor to purchase properties to reduce the expenditure on temporary accommodation.

·        Discussion and agreement on Terms of Reference for its review of “Poverty, its impact and efforts to tackle it”.

OSB – 22 Oct 2025

·        Scrutiny Chairs’ updates.

·        Executive Member for Children’s Services - Provided a presentation on activity within his portfolio.

·        Executive Forward Plan

·        Progress on Forward Plan Actions.

·        Next meeting of OSB – Wednesday, 19 November at 4.30pm.

Any other urgent items which in the opinion of the Chair, may be considered.

There were no other urgent items to be considered.

The next meeting of the Children’s Scrutiny Panel was scheduled for Monday, 8 December at 4.30pm.

The Chair highlighted that the next meeting would consider the statutory annual update from the South Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership and requested agreement from Members to move the January meeting from 19 to 26 January 2026 at 4.30pm

AGREED that the January meeting of the Scrutiny Panel be moved to Monday, 26 January 2026 at 4.30pm.