The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Doncaster Council was scheduled to meet on Friday 17 July 2026. The agenda included discussions on the Best Start for Life programme, early intervention, and youth services, as well as the panel's work plan and the council's forward plan of key decisions. The meeting's report pack was expected to outline discussions on the current provision for children in care, foster carers, and educational sufficiency, alongside plans for youth services and the Best Start for Life initiative.

Best Start for Life Programme, Early Intervention, and Youth Services

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to focus on the Best Start for Life programme, which aims to strengthen community-based support for children and families in Doncaster. This programme, building on the existing Family Hub network, is designed to integrate local authority services, health partners, education providers, and voluntary organisations to deliver early intervention and prevention services. The report pack was expected to highlight that the programme seeks to improve early years outcomes, ensuring children are prepared for adulthood.

The report pack was expected to detail the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme, which merges Department for Education and Department for Health and Social Care initiatives. This programme is structured to provide a comprehensive pathway from pregnancy to age five, connecting families to parenting support, health services, early education, and emotional wellbeing support. Doncaster's priorities for this programme were expected to include a shared understanding of each child's journey, co-producing an inclusive offer with families, driving integrated health improvements, empowering parents as educators, and ensuring access to high-quality childcare.

The universal youth offer was also a key topic. This includes activities at the Bentley and Tom Hill Youth Hubs, with a third hub planned. In the 2025/26 period, 7,211 children and young people engaged in various activities, with further engagement through voice events and community outreach. Doncaster was also noted as being selected for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's (DCMS) Local Youth Transformation pilot programme, receiving £565,000 in funding to develop a youth partnership, enhance the youth website, implement a shared data collection system, improve quality assurance, and establish a youth work training hub. The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme was also to be discussed, which in 2025/26 received £1,382,170 to provide activities for children eligible for free school meals, with 15% of funding used for universal participation.

The targeted youth offer, through the Encouraging Potential Inspiring Change (EPIC) team, was also scheduled for discussion. EPIC aims to reduce first-time entrants into the criminal justice system, support children at risk of criminal exploitation, and address anti-social behaviour. The report pack was expected to note that the team has established a youth hub in the city centre in response to issues within the Frenchgate Shopping Centre, leading to a 14% increase in engagements. EPIC was also expected to be discussed in relation to its deployment in the Wheatley area, providing community and outreach support, and delivering assemblies and workshops in schools on topics such as anti-social behaviour, off-road biking safety, and healthy relationships. EPIC Learning, an alternative provision, supports young people at risk of or who have been excluded from mainstream school. The report pack was also expected to mention the Youth Futures Panel Programme (YFPP), which identifies young people vulnerable to crime and offers diversionary support.

Children in Care and Support Services

The report pack was expected to indicate that discussions were scheduled regarding the provision for children in care. This was expected to include an overview of the current demand and sufficiency of services for children in care and young people aged 16 and over. Specific areas of focus were expected to include the reduction in the number of children in care, the support provided to foster carers, and measures to ensure children are placed in suitable and safe environments.

The report pack was expected to detail the Right Child In The Right Home/Supporting Young People To Develop Their Independence And Networks initiative, which focuses on age-appropriate independence planning. It was also expected to outline the support for foster carers, including introductions to children before placement where possible, and the Staying Put financial framework, which supports care leavers transitioning into adulthood. The report pack was also expected to address the use of unregistered or unregulated placements, explaining that these are used as a last resort in emergency situations and are closely monitored.

Discussions were also anticipated regarding the increased demand for post-18 accommodation for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who remain in semi-independent living services. The report pack was expected to highlight national, regional, and local efforts to address this issue.

Furthermore, the report pack was expected to indicate a review of the recruitment and support for foster carers, particularly for older children and those with higher risk behaviours. This was expected to include recruitment plans, training, financial support, and enhanced fostering provisions. The report pack was also expected to touch upon the need for more foster carers to support older children, with a focus on keeping children within Doncaster and reunifying those outside the borough.

Education and Workforce

The report pack was expected to indicate that educational sufficiency would be discussed, particularly concerning children with complex needs. This was expected to include the SEND Sufficiency Plan, which addresses the full capacity of special schools in Doncaster and the need for out-of-area placements. The report pack was expected to mention a £12 million Capital Funding from the DfE and a plan approved by Cabinet to address future demand for specialised settings. A small hub for young people with intense complex needs was also noted.

Discussions were also scheduled regarding support for post-16 education and transitions to adult social care. The report pack was expected to highlight positive relationships with Adults Social Care and the use of transition meetings to support early identification for young people moving into adult social care.

The workforce within children's social care was also a scheduled topic. The report pack was expected to note successes in reducing the number of agency Social Workers and efforts to convert agency staff into permanent posts. It was also expected to mention the stabilisation of the Residential Care Worker workforce, although pressures around Registered Managers were noted. The focus on workforce development and preparations for implementing a revised best practice model were also highlighted.

Other Matters

The meeting was also scheduled to consider the Overview & Scrutiny Work Plan and the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions. The report pack was expected to include the work plan for various scrutiny panels, including the Children and Young People panel, outlining scheduled topics and meetings for the upcoming year. The Council's Forward Plan was expected to detail key decisions expected to be taken by the Cabinet, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Portfolio Holders, or Officers between August and November 2026, covering areas such as transport improvements, capital programmes, policy reviews, and funding allocations.

The report pack was also expected to include a section on language support, noting the availability of translation and interpreting services for children whose first language is not English. An action was noted to provide waiting times information for language support. Support for previously looked-after children was also mentioned, with the Care Leader service provided by the Inspiring Futures Team offering continued support up to age 21 or 25 if required.

Finally, a non-panel member question was raised regarding the closure of Stainforth Youth Club and the Mission Endeavour group, with an action to discuss this outside of the meeting.

The meeting was scheduled to be recorded for subsequent broadcast via the Council's website.