The Children's & Education Select Committee of Buckinghamshire Council is scheduled to convene on Thursday 05 November 2026. The meeting agenda includes discussions on the work of Youth Voice Bucks, the draft Education Places Sufficiency Strategy 2027-2032, and a briefing on the Best Start in Life Programme for Buckinghamshire.

The Work of Youth Voice Bucks

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on the work, achievements, impact, and ongoing development of Youth Voice Bucks. This programme is Buckinghamshire's strategic youth participation initiative, designed to ensure that children and young people are heard, involved in decision-making, and can influence change. The agenda indicates that members of Youth Voice Bucks will also have the opportunity to pose questions to the Cabinet Member and Committee Members.

Education Places Sufficiency Strategy 2027-2032

A significant portion of the meeting is allocated to considering the draft Education Places Sufficiency Strategy 2027-2032. This strategy outlines the council's ambition to ensure continued access to high-quality education, childcare, and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision over the next five years. It is intended to be a key enabler for the council's broader education and SEND development and reform agenda, aiming to ensure the right provision is available in the right locations to support greater inclusion, earlier support, and improved outcomes for children and young people. The draft strategy is currently out for public consultation, and the committee's views will be considered alongside other feedback before the final strategy is presented to Cabinet.

The strategy is underpinned by the vision of delivering the right place at the right time and aims to ensure Buckinghamshire's education system remains strong, inclusive, and responsive to changing needs and future growth. It addresses five key priorities: expanding mainstream capacity in areas of growth, supporting children with SEND through increased local provision and inclusion, tackling surplus capacity to ensure sustainability, expanding pre-school provision, and expanding wraparound provision. The report highlights that the council has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient education and childcare places, and this strategy provides the framework for meeting these duties.

Best Start in Life Programme for Buckinghamshire

The committee is also scheduled to receive a briefing on the Best Start in Life Programme for Buckinghamshire. This programme is Buckinghamshire's response to the Government's national strategy, aiming to improve childhood development from pregnancy to the end of Reception. The programme's vision is that every baby, child, and family in Buckinghamshire should have the best possible start in life, with support that is easier to access, better coordinated, and available earlier.

The briefing is expected to cover the role of partnership working across health, education, early years, Family Hubs, and voluntary and community organisations in delivering the programme and improving outcomes. Progress in developing designated Best Start Family Hubs at Elmhurst and Burnham, along with plans for High Wycombe, will also be discussed. The programme focuses on improving school readiness, reducing inequalities, and strengthening support for children and families through earlier intervention and prevention. The report notes that Buckinghamshire has secured significant funding from the Department for Education for this programme, with a requirement to demonstrate delivery against agreed outcomes.

The meeting's agenda also includes confirming the minutes of the previous meeting and addressing any public questions submitted in advance. The committee's work programme for the remainder of the 2026/27 council year is also scheduled for noting.