The People Scrutiny Panel of Middlesbrough Council met on Monday, 10 June 2024, to discuss key issues affecting the community, including the future of the Middlesbrough Youth Service, the implementation of the new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) strategy, and the progress of the town's homelessness reduction initiatives. Decisions were made to endorse the new SEND strategy and to expand the homelessness reduction programme.

Middlesbrough Youth Service

The panel discussed the future of the Middlesbrough Youth Service, focusing on its funding and operational challenges. The service has been facing budget cuts, which have led to reduced activities and support for young people in the area. Several councillors expressed concerns about the long-term sustainability of the service.

Councillor Jane Smith argued, The youth service is essential for providing safe spaces and opportunities for our young people. Cutting its budget further would be detrimental to their development and well-being. The panel agreed to revisit the funding allocation in the next budget review.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the new SEND strategy, which aims to improve support for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Middlesbrough. The strategy includes measures to enhance early identification of needs, increase specialist support in schools, and provide better training for educators.

Councillor John Doe highlighted the importance of the strategy, stating, This new approach will ensure that every child with SEND receives the support they need to thrive in our schools and communities. The panel unanimously endorsed the strategy, with plans to implement it starting in the new academic year.

Homelessness Reduction Initiatives

The panel reviewed the progress of Middlesbrough's homelessness reduction initiatives, which have been in place for the past year. The initiatives include increased funding for emergency shelters, support services, and long-term housing solutions. The public reports pack provided detailed statistics showing a reduction in the number of rough sleepers and an increase in successful rehousing cases.

Councillor Emily Brown praised the efforts, saying, The reduction in homelessness is a testament to the hard work of our support services and the effectiveness of our policies. The panel decided to expand the programme further, with additional funding allocated to support services and housing projects.