Agenda item

The Head of SEN and Vulnerable Learners was in attendance to provide the service’s responses to the Scrutiny Panel’s previous recommendations in relation to Children Missing Education (CME).

In respect of Recommendation A, which asked that CME be embedded within Middlesbrough Council’s Draft Poverty Strategy and referenced within any associated performance framework, it was reported that the Local Authority, and Public Health in particular, were no longer planning to produce a standalone Poverty Strategy. It was confirmed that Education and Partnerships had agreed with Public Health that any future strategic work aimed at reducing poverty would incorporate CME where relevant, ensuring that its impact continued to be recognised within wider anti-poverty activity.

In relation to Recommendation B, which sought assurance that Education and Partnerships were fully prepared for the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, particularly the monitoring of Elective Home Education (EHE) and the implementation of a single unique identifier for children, the service confirmed that it already maintained a compulsory register of children not in school and had robust procedures in place to oversee electively home educated children. It was further noted that the Bill would remove the automatic right for parents to home educate where a child was subject to a child protection investigation or plan, a change that the service welcomed as it strengthened safeguards for vulnerable children. The service also advised that the Bill would empower local authorities to require school attendance where the home education offer or home environment was deemed unsuitable. It was reported that Middlesbrough already exercised its existing legal powers to return children to school where necessary, and any strengthening of these powers, including the potential ability to inspect the home learning environment, was welcomed.

In respect of Recommendations C and D, it was noted that both required the establishment of Working Groups involving Primary Schools in Central Middlesbrough, Education and Partnerships, Stronger Communities and local Councillors. These Working Groups were intended to explore support for schools experiencing high levels of pupil transience and roll turnover, consult with stakeholders to understand the nature of their concerns, and produce action plans to address identified issues, including the higher rate of CME within the Romanian community. Both groups were also required to report progress to the Children’s Scrutiny Panel by March 2026. It was reported at the meeting that, as the membership for both groups would have been identical, it had been agreed to establish a single combined Working Group. The Group had already met, with a further meeting scheduled for 11 March, and had begun examining several areas of concern, including deep dive activity to inform practical actions relating to extended holidays, fixed penalty notices, CME over a 12month period and refusals of school places. Members were advised that further information would be provided to the Panel as the work progressed.

In respect of Recommendation E, it was noted that an update was to be provided to the Children’s Scrutiny Panel offering assurance on the ongoing work to support children at risk of permanent exclusion, with a report due no later than October 2026. Similarly, in relation to Recommendation F, an update was to be presented to the Panel on the new Alternative Provision and the restructure of the Inclusion and Outreach model, with a report required by April 2026. Deadlines for both reports were not until April and October 2026, respectively.

During discussion, Members noted that the national position regarding the relevant legislative changes remained fluid. It was reported that a final reading of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill was expected to take place in the House of Lords around April, although a number of wider governmental processes were still underway which might affect the timeline. Officers advised that, while the outcome had not yet been confirmed, preparatory work was being undertaken in the background to ensure that swift decisions could be made once the position became clear. It was further confirmed that some elements of the required processes were already in place, and that many of the operational arrangements and team structures previously established had anticipated the requirements of the forthcoming Bill. Members also noted that, although the Bill had originally been expected earlier, there had been a delay in its progression.

AGREED that the information provided be noted and that further updates would be provided when available.