The Children's Scrutiny Committee of Devon Council is scheduled to meet on Monday, 16 March 2026, to consider a range of important matters concerning children's services. Key topics on the agenda include an update on the SEND Transformation Programme, a review of a recent visit to Exeter and East Children's Social Care Teams, and a report on the activities of the Fostering Member Champion.

SEND Transformation Programme: Strand 1 - Investing in Devon Schools by Getting the Basics Right

A significant portion of the meeting is expected to focus on the SEND Transformation Programme, specifically Strand 1, which is dedicated to Investing in Devon Schools by Getting the Basics Right. This report, presented by the Director of Children & Young People's Futures, Julian Wooster, will provide an update on the progress of this initiative. The programme aims to improve the understanding of need and demand for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, develop commissioning strategies, and strengthen contract and financial management.

Key areas within Strand 1 that are scheduled for discussion include:

• SEND Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA): The development of a comprehensive JSNA is underway to better understand the needs of children and young people with SEND across Devon. This assessment will gather data on demographic trends, service usage, and outcomes, incorporating insights from families, young people, and professionals. The JSNA is intended to inform future planning, shape commissioning priorities, and ensure resources are targeted effectively.
• Framework for Independent Special Schools and Alternative Provision: A new framework has been developed in collaboration with providers, practitioners, and parent carers to create a more transparent system for commissioning independent sector and alternative provision. This framework aims to ensure placements are aligned with individual needs and deliver value for money, with strengthened market oversight for independent specialist provision and a more strategic model for alternative provision.
• Provision Management – Phase 2: This phase focuses on improving the link between the Education database (MRI One) and the finance system (Unit 4) to enhance the management of payments to suppliers, particularly within the independent sector. An improved interface hub is being tested, which is expected to lead to better budget management and improved cash flow through regular monthly payments.
• High Needs Funding Framework: A refreshed framework is being developed to make funding decisions clearer, more consistent, and more closely aligned with the actual provision children and young people require. This approach is built on detailed moderation of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), costed provision, and engagement with schools and partners to ensure transparency and ease of understanding. The report indicates that a final draft of the framework is complete, with 73 EHCPs moderated and provision fully costed.
• SEND Sufficiency Strategy and Plan: This strategy, approved in December 2025, outlines five key priority areas: strengthening mainstream inclusion with new SEN Units planned in Totnes, Exmouth, Cullompton, and Barnstaple; expanding specialist provision, including reviewing options for Cranbrook Special School and expanding Mill Water School; targeted provision for Autism, Social & Emotional Mental Health, and Speech & Language needs; increasing the number of post-16 places with projects completed in Barnstaple and Tiverton and further places planned; and ensuring financial sustainability by reducing reliance on independent school placements.
• Financial Recovery work linked to Attendance: The report highlights severe absence for SEND pupils placed in the independent sector, with 249 pupils having attendance at or below 65% in the 2024/25 academic year. Efforts are underway to recoup funding for students where absence is prolonged and re-engagement steps have not been taken, with two providers already sent fee recovery letters totalling approximately £370,000.

The report also touches upon the environmental impact of current provision, noting that long journeys for SEND pupils contribute to Devon's carbon footprint and highlighting the need for more localised, inclusive provision. Equality considerations are also noted, with reference to the protected characteristic of disability under the Equality Act 2010.

Children's Scrutiny Committee Visit to the Exeter and East Children's Social Care Teams

This report, from the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, Maria Price, shares learning from a recent visit undertaken by members of the Children's Scrutiny Committee to the Exeter and East Children's Social Care Teams. The visit aimed to provide councillors with first-hand insight into how services operate in practice, to amplify the voices of children, young people, and families, and to engage with frontline practitioners.

Key themes that emerged from discussions with staff during the visit included:

• Recruitment and Retention: Progress has been made in stabilising the workforce and reducing reliance on agency staff. The success of the social work apprenticeship route was highlighted, with positive feedback on the support and mentoring provided.
• Caseloads: Practitioners reported high caseloads, although recent improvements to the duty rota have had a positive impact on workload management. The report notes that long-term success in managing caseloads depends on the council's ability to retain existing staff and support newly qualified social workers.
• Staff Wellbeing: The complexity of cases, which have intensified since the pandemic, impacts staff wellbeing. While existing support mechanisms like group supervision and Mental Health First Aid are valued, practitioners expressed a desire for more in-person reflective opportunities and access to clinical advice.
• Paperwork: Staff identified an opportunity to streamline paperwork to dedicate more time to relationship-based practice. A systems replacement project is underway to update the IT systems supporting social care case management.
• Housing: Access to suitable accommodation remains a challenge, particularly for young people with care experience. The report references previous work on the commissioning framework for 16+ accommodation and support, including the 'My Future, My Way' programme. Provision for young parents is noted as particularly limited.
• Partnership Working: Practitioners highlighted positive relationships with District Councils and the need to continue strengthening partnerships with all stakeholders, including schools. The role of school nurses was specifically mentioned as an area for potential further scrutiny.

The report concludes that the visit reinforced the value of Scrutiny members gaining first-hand insight into frontline practice, with the learning gathered supporting the Committee's ongoing work to challenge, support, and strengthen Children's Services.

Report of the Fostering Member Champion

This report provides an overview of the work undertaken by Councillor Robin Julian, who was elected as the Children's Scrutiny Committee Fostering Member Champion in November 2025. His priorities include strengthening the scrutiny of fostering services, promoting the recruitment, retention, and support of foster carers, and ensuring the lived experiences of children in care and foster carers inform scrutiny and policy development.

Activities undertaken by Councillor Julian include:

• Training Session (December 2025): A training session with the Interim Head of Fostering provided an understanding of foster care and allowed for the relaying of feedback from foster carers regarding payment and expense processes, access to information about children in their care, out-of-hours support, and the need for strong support for new carers.
• Ongoing Community Engagement: Councillor Julian has continued to promote fostering within the community, hearing concerns directly from foster carers and prospective carers, which are being shared with the service. Regular meetings are planned to provide feedback and understand the strategic approach to fostering.
• Foster Carer Engagement Meeting (March 2026): Councillor Julian attended a meeting where topics discussed included the need for respite care, promoting fostering through schools, support for carers of children under five, Council Tax charges, expense claims, challenges arranging meetings with social workers, communications regarding overpayments, transport arrangements for children, and access to out-of-hours support.

Councillor Julian has committed to promoting fostering within schools in his local area, lobbying District Councils to simplify Council Tax reduction processes for foster carers, and attending the Hearts and Homes Conference to promote fostering and engage with carers. The report notes the Council's commitment to increasing the number of foster carers through creative recruitment and appropriate support packages, and extending the Mockingbird model of fostering.