The Children's, Young Persons & Education Scrutiny Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Monday 13 July 2026, approving the minutes from their previous meeting and endorsing the delivery of the SEND Reform Plan. The committee also noted the findings of the Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS).

Submission of the SEND Reform Plan

The committee endorsed and challenged the delivery of the SEND Reform Plan, aiming to achieve a shift towards early intervention, inclusive mainstream provision, and improved experiences for children and families. They reviewed key performance data, including Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) demand and timeliness, inclusion rates (attendance, exclusions, placements), waiting times for specialist services, and parent and carer satisfaction. Assurance was sought on the impact of the Experts at Hand model and Inclusion Partnerships, specifically their effectiveness in increasing early intervention, reducing escalation to statutory processes, and improving the confidence and capacity of the workforce to support children and young people with SEND. Furthermore, the committee scrutinised the financial sustainability and value for money of the plan, including progress in reducing reliance on high-cost placements, delivering local provision, and managing High Needs Block pressures. Officers were requested to provide an annual update report on the progress of the SEND reform plan, including implementation and key performance indicators against the three-year plan.

The SEND Reform Plan itself is a comprehensive strategy submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) in June 2026. It outlines a three-year programme to transform the local SEND system in response to significant pressures, including increasing demand for EHCPs, rising costs, and reduced family confidence. The plan aims to deliver an inclusive and sustainable system where children and young people with SEND can thrive within their local communities. Key priorities include earlier intervention, improved inclusive practice in mainstream settings, strengthened partnerships across education, health, and care, and long-term financial sustainability. The Experts at Hand model is central to this reform, providing schools with access to specialist expertise, alongside the development of locality-based Inclusion Partnerships aligned with Family Hubs. This initiative aims to improve early identification, reduce escalation to statutory processes, and enable more children's needs to be met in mainstream provision. The plan also details a programme to expand local provision, reduce reliance on high-cost placements, and improve outcomes, attendance, and experiences for children and families, marking a shift from a reactive to a preventative and inclusive system.

The report highlighted that the national SEND system is under significant pressure, with increasing demand, financial challenges, and variable outcomes. North Northamptonshire's local system has experienced an 80% growth in EHCPs since 2022, exceeding regional and national comparators. This has led to rising demand for specialist provision, increasing costs, delays in accessing support, and long waiting times, contributing to reduced confidence among parents and carers. The reform plan aims to create a proactive, inclusive, and locally delivered model that prioritises early intervention, high-quality mainstream provision, and integrated multi-agency support. This will be achieved through locality-based Inclusion Partnerships, aligned with Family Hubs and health neighbourhoods, bringing together education, health, and family services into a single, coordinated approach.

The plan sets out ambitious goals, including improved outcomes for children and young people, increased confidence in the SEND system, and a financially sustainable and effective system. Success measures are aligned with addressing issues of volume, cost, and placement profiles, with targets to reduce the rate of increase in EHCPs, decrease High Needs Block costs, and shift the placement mix towards mainstream settings. The strategy involves a phased approach of opportunity identification, proof of concept, scaling up, and embedding and sustaining reforms. The first year's delivery plan focuses on establishing governance, accountability, and delivery infrastructure, including piloting the Experts at Hand model and Inclusion Partnerships.

The committee also noted the significant financial implications, with the Local SEND Reform Plan underpinning eligibility for the High Needs Stability Grant. This grant aims to cover 90% of local authorities' High Needs-related Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficits accrued up to the end of 2025-26. North Northamptonshire's cumulative deficit at 31st March 2026 was estimated at £45.144 million. The plan also outlines the use of High Needs Capital funding to expand inclusion bases and improve mainstream settings, aiming to reduce the need for long-distance travel and out-of-area placements.

Ofsted Inspection of North Northamptonshire Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS)

The committee noted the findings of the Ofsted Inspection of North Northamptonshire Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS), which took place between 11 and 22 May 2026. The inspection judged the overall effectiveness of services positively, awarding an Outstanding judgement for the impact of leaders on practice with children and families, and Good judgements across all other service areas relating to children in need of help and protection, children in care, and care leavers. This inspection signifies substantial and sustained improvement since the previous inspection in 2022, with inspectors highlighting strong leadership, significant investment, workforce stability, and effective partnership working as key factors in improved outcomes for children and families.

Ofsted identified two areas for further improvement: the quality of support and planning for some children in need, particularly disabled children, where assessments and plans do not consistently consider wider family circumstances; and the communication of the local offer for care-experienced young adults, especially regarding support for those aged over 21. The council and Northamptonshire Children's Trust (NCT) acknowledged these findings and are developing plans to address them, including strengthening assessment and planning arrangements, enhancing quality assurance, and improving communication of the care leaver local offer. The committee was asked to continue supporting the Council's role in strengthening outcomes for vulnerable children, young people, and families through effective scrutiny and corporate parenting responsibilities.

Minutes of the meeting held on 19th March 2026

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2026 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Children's, Young Person and Education Scrutiny Committee.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Trevor Conway, Councillor Wendy Brackenbury, Councillor Chris Munday, Councillor Paul Brooke, Councillor Steve Geary, Councillor Vicki Jessop, and Councillor Vinnie Whitrow.