The Family and Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Northumberland Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday, 5 November 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the Northumberland Strategic Skills Plan 2026-2030, an annual report on care proceedings and the Public Law Outline, and an update on the Families First Reforms Northumberland programme.

Northumberland Strategic Skills Plan 2026-2030

A key item scheduled for discussion is the Northumberland Strategic Skills Plan 2026-2030. This plan aims to establish a strategic framework for skills, workforce development, and employment support across Northumberland for the period between 2026 and 2030. The report is intended to be presented to the committee for endorsement. The plan aligns with the Council's Corporate Plan, focusing on driving economic growth through workforce development, tackling inequalities by improving access to skills and employment opportunities, and achieving value for money by aligning skills investment with local economic needs. The plan outlines five strategic priorities: building sector-specific talent pipelines, transforming the Foundational Economy workforce, reducing economic inactivity, overcoming place-based barriers to participation, and delivering a demand-led, integrated skills system. The report highlights the county's economic context, including significant investment opportunities in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and life sciences, alongside workforce challenges such as skills shortages and economic inactivity. It also details the achievements of the previous 2021-25 Strategic Skills Plan, including the establishment of flagship learning facilities like the Blyth Welding and Fabrication Training Centre and the Energy Central Learning Hub. The committee will be asked to consider whether the plan appropriately reflects the skills challenges, successes, and opportunities in Northumberland and to endorse it for adoption.

Care Proceedings and Public Law Outline Annual Report

The committee is also scheduled to review the Care Proceedings and Public Law Outline Annual Report on Progression for the period between 31 August 2025 and 31 August 2026. This report details the progress made by Northumberland Children's Social Care in relation to care proceedings. It provides an overview of the work undertaken with children, families, and their wider networks, in collaboration with multi-agency partners, the Court, and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS). The report aims to demonstrate how Northumberland Children's Social Care is delivering against the Council's Corporate Plan and BEST priorities by achieving timely permanence for children, improving outcomes through effective partnership working, ensuring efficient resource use, and supporting children and families to receive the right help at the right time. The report notes a reduction in overall activity levels, including contacts, referrals, and assessments, reflecting a continued focus on providing earlier support through Family Help and family network approaches. However, it also highlights an increase in the number of children in care, indicating growing complexity and sustained demand for statutory intervention. The report indicates a reduction in pre-proceedings activity and a lower conversion rate to care proceedings compared to regional and national averages, which is attributed to effective assessment and intervention during the pre-proceedings stage. While care proceedings have reduced, the report states that performance remains strong, with a significant proportion of cases concluding within the statutory 26-week timescale, and the average duration of proceedings being below regional and national averages. The report also mentions ongoing challenges, such as court listing availability and workforce pressures within CAFCASS, which have contributed to delays in some cases. The committee will be asked to note the content of the report, service developments, and the progress made in achieving early permanence for children, as well as to identify any areas for further scrutiny.

Families First Reforms Northumberland

An update on Northumberland's response to the government's reform agenda for Children's Social Care through the implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme is also scheduled for discussion. This programme aims to rebalance the children's social care system by strengthening early intervention, promoting family-led solutions, and ensuring a more seamless experience for children and families. The report details the work undertaken across Northumberland to design and implement the Families First Partnership Programme, focusing on ensuring families receive the right support at the earliest opportunity. It outlines the governance arrangements, including a Families First Project Board and associated workstreams, and highlights the engagement with staff and partners through conferences, roadshows, and advisory groups. The report also details new ways of working, including pilot programmes for Family Help and the development of a new Single Assessment. The committee will receive an update on the ongoing implementation of this programme.

In addition to these main agenda items, the committee will also consider the Forward Plan of key decisions and the Family and Children's Services OSC Work Programme.