The Durham Family Panel is scheduled to meet on Friday 19 June 2026 to discuss a range of important updates and reports concerning children's services. Key topics include an Ofsted update, a review of the Youth Justice Service, and detailed reports on the Pre-birth Intervention Service and the Future Hope programme. The panel will also receive the Durham Family Panel Annual Report for 2025-26 and an update from the Children in Care Council.

Ofsted Updates

The panel is scheduled to receive an update from the Interim Head of Children's Social Care and the Interim Head of Strategy, Assurance and Specialist Services regarding Ofsted's findings. Previous Ofsted inspections have highlighted areas of strength within Durham's children's services, with a 2025 inspection grading the local authority's children's services as 'outstanding'. Inspectors noted that Senior and political leaders in Durham are ambitious, purposeful and influential. They are unrelenting in their pursuit of doing what is right for children and families, resulting in consistent improvements and the delivery of high-quality services for children and families. ¹ The report pack indicates that previous inspections of Aycliffe Secure Centre found improvements in help and protection, and leadership and management, with all compliance issues addressed.

Durham Family Panel Annual Report 2025-26

A comprehensive annual report for the Durham Family Panel for the period 2025-26 is scheduled for discussion. This report, prepared by the Interim Head of Children's Social Care, Jac Tyler, covers the work undertaken to ensure the best possible outcomes for children in care and care leavers. The report details the panel's role, key performance data, and achievements, including Proud Moments from the year. The development of the annual report itself involved input from young people from the Children in Care Council (CICC), ensuring their voices are reflected in its design and content. The report is intended to be accessible to young people while maintaining a corporate format.

Youth Justice Service Biennial Update

The panel will receive a biennial update on the work of the County Durham Youth Justice Service (CDYJS). This report, presented by Clare Nicholls, Interim Head of Strategy, Assurance and Specialist Services, will focus on children in care within the youth justice system, efforts to prevent first-time entrants (FTEs) into the system, and the transfer of children from police custody under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). The report highlights a significant reduction in first-time entrants, with a 58.6% decrease between 2014 and 2025. It also notes that 23% of the CDYJS cohort are currently children in care, and details the number of requests made to Durham County Council for the transfer of children from police custody.

Pre-birth Intervention Service Update

An annual update on the Pre-birth Intervention Service (PBIS) will be presented by Jac Tyler, Head of Service for Children and Young People's Services. The PBIS aims to enable babies to remain with their parents or within the birth family where safe, by providing intensive support before birth. The report highlights that a higher proportion of children who become children in care in Durham are aged under one compared to national and regional comparators. The service has developed flexible assessment pathways, including a dedicated pathway for parents with learning disabilities, which has been recognised in national good practice guidance. The report details the outcomes for families supported by the service, noting that a significant number of parents have previous care proceedings or are care experienced themselves.

Future Hope Report

Jac Tyler, Head of Service for Children and Young People's Services, will also present an annual update on the Future Hope programme, formerly known as Pause Durham. This service provides intensive, ongoing practical and emotional support to women who have had one or more children permanently separated from their care. The programme aims to reduce the number of children entering care and improve the lives of these women. The report indicates that Future Hope has reached out to 94 women in 2025, who collectively have had 294 children removed from their care. The programme is delivered over up to 18 months, with women agreeing to take effective contraception to create a 'pause' in pregnancy. The report also proposes that Future Hope consider becoming a co-opted member of the Durham Family Panel.

Update from the Children in Care Council (CICC)

Young people from the Children in Care Council (CICC) will provide an update on their activities. The CICC is a group for children and young people who are care experienced in County Durham, meeting monthly to discuss issues important to them. The report pack indicates that the CICC has been involved in various activities, including team-building events, developing a board game, and forming a steering group for the Education Fun Fund. Over 30 young people have engaged with the group since April, with many new participants. The young people have expressed that essential elements of the CICC include sharing views, making friends, and discovering new activities.

Ofsted Updates

The panel is scheduled to receive an update from the Interim Head of Children's Social Care and the Interim Head of Strategy, Assurance and Specialist Services regarding Ofsted. Previous inspections have noted improvements in areas such as help and protection and leadership and management at the Aycliffe Secure Centre. The report pack indicates that Ofsted acknowledged significant improvements had been made in recent months, with inspectors finding the centre to be calm and settled, and young people speaking positively about their relationships with staff.

Proud Moments

An update on Proud Moments will be provided by Strategic Managers. This agenda item is intended to highlight the achievements and successes of young people in care, as suggested by young people themselves to counter stigma and discrimination. Previous Proud Moments shared have included young people's participation in initiatives like the Why Care programme, where they acted as assessors for prospective foster carers, and the recognition of staff for their dedication.