Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families

Every council with an executive management structure has to have an overview and scrutiny function. Somerset Council has appointed five scrutiny committees to perform this function: ·         Adults and Health ·         Children and Families ·         Climate and Place ·         Communities ·         Corporate and Resources   The scrutiny committees each fulfil a check and challenge function for decisions and policies made by the Executive.   Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families Functional areas that are the responsibility of the Committee are as follows: ·         Investing in and improving school facilities ·         Education, Training & Skills ·         Improving the health of children & young people ·         Supporting educational achievement and improved outcomes for children & young people ·         Improving young people’s prospects and skills ·         Delivery of Personalisation Agenda and Personal Budgets ·         Protect and care for the most vulnerable ·         Support and recruit more adopters and fosterers of children ·         Improve prospects of disadvantaged children and young people and their families, and those at risk of being disadvantaged ·         Specialist services for children with disabilities ·         Special Educational Needs ·         Safeguarding children ·         School admissions ·         Academy conversions. ·         Youth offending and targeted youth work ·         Early years and children’s centres ·         Appointment of school governors   The membership of the Committee includes 2 co-opted church representatives, 2 co-opted parent governor representatives, 2 school governor representatives and 1 representative from the Schools Forum. These co-opted members have voting rights on education matters.   For further details, please see the Constitution or email Democratic Services on democratic@somerset.gov.uk