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 advised that, as there were no scheduled tests, should the fire alarm sound attendees should evacuate the building via the nearest fire exit and assemble at the Bottle of Notes opposite MIMA.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Children’s Scrutiny Panel held on 24 June 2025 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

The Scrutiny Panel will be asked to consider its work programme for the 2025/2026 Municipal Year.

The Chair introduced the report submitted by Democratic Services inviting Members to consider and agree its Work Programme for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

Members were reminded that, on 19 March 2025, the Overview and Scrutiny Board agreed to reconfigure the scrutiny structure by splitting the former People Scrutiny Panel to create two separate Panels - Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Panel and a Children’s Scrutiny Panel.

A list of suggested topics relevant to the Children’s Scrutiny Panel’s remit, received via the scrutiny consultation process, were contained at Appendix 1 to the report, however, further suggestions could be proposed at the meeting.

The Panel was encouraged to select two topics where scrutiny could make an impact, add value or contribute to policy development.

During discussion around potential topics, reference was made to a new adolescence service that was being developed and it was felt it would be useful for the Panel to be provided with an update on progress at a future meeting.

Following discussion, the Panel agreed that it wished to select the following topics for inclusion in its Work Programme, in the following priority order.

Review Topics

1.     Out of Area Specialist Provision

2.     Educational Attainment of Children in Care

3.     Supporting Children who are being exploited

Updates

1.     South Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership – Annual Report

2.     Performance Data

In addition, at its previous meeting, the Panel requested that updates on the following also be received during the year:-

3.     Children’s Services financial information

4.     SEND Local Offer

AGREED that the topics, as listed above, be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Board, on 30 July 2025, for approval and inclusion in the Children’s Scrutiny Panel Work Programme for 2025/26.

The next meeting of the Children’s Scrutiny Panel was scheduled for Monday, 15 September at 4.30pm.

There were no other urgent items to be considered.

NOTED