The Children and Young People's Scrutiny Committee of Blackpool Council convened on 18 September 2025, to discuss a range of issues including educational updates, safeguarding arrangements, the Children's Services' financial plan, and a review of children's residential homes. The committee was also scheduled to consider the appointment of co-opted members and review its work plan for the upcoming municipal year.

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements (MASA) Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to review the Multi Agency Safeguarding Arrangement (MASA) Annual Report 2024-2025. The MASA board includes representatives from Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), Blackpool Council, education settings, Blackpool Teaching Hospital, the National Probation Service, Blackpool Coastal Housing, and Delphi Medical.

The report noted that Blackpool faces challenges due to deprivation, ranking as the most deprived of 317 local authority areas in England according to the 2019 Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).

The report outlined the MASA's vision:

All members of Blackpool's MASA recognise that children, young people and their families are Blackpool's future. We want to ensure that all children experience a great education and are supported by our partnership at the earliest opportunity, so they can thrive, feel healthy, happy and safe, and have opportunities to be ambitious about their future. When children and families need additional support our vision is that they are supported to remain living within stable homes and loving families wherever possible.

The report detailed progress against priorities including early help, neglect, domestic abuse and contextual safeguarding¹. The report also included reflections from Stephen Chapman, the MASA Independent Scrutineer.

Children's Residential Homes Scrutiny Review

The committee was to consider the final report of the Children's Residential Homes Scrutiny Review. The review was established to explore the feasibility of developing council-run children's residential care homes, in light of escalating placement costs with private providers. Councillor Dave Flanagan, Chair of the Children's Residential Care Homes Scrutiny Review, noted that Blackpool Council was spending approximately £290,000 per year for each child in private residential care.

The report included three recommendations:

• To commission an audit of individual providers acting on behalf of Blackpool Council.
• To prioritise the recruitment of foster carers and reappraise the support and allowance available to them.
• To commission the production of detailed financial models for children's residential care home provision.

Children's Services Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Children's Services Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP). According to the report, residential care costs and the number of children in residential care were the two biggest drivers of budget overspend. As of 5 September 2025, there were 74 children in residential care. The target was to reduce this to 72 by 31 March 2026. The report stated that Blackpool Council was working alongside other local authorities to develop a Fostering Hub, called 'Foster with Us'. The aim of the hub is to increase awareness of fostering. The report stated that the hub was in its second year, and that the Department for Education (DfE) had reported that it was the top performing hub in the country.

Education Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update regarding education across Blackpool. The report included recommendations for members to continue to support Blackpool Education Improvement Board and to champion education's contribution to the regeneration of Blackpool.

The report noted that a review of the 2020 Ten Year Education Strategy was underway, with priorities including:

• Building strong relationships with all partners.
• Fostering a culture of belonging and inclusion in every education setting.
• Developing core skills in all children and young people.
• Improving the quality of teaching and learning.

The report also included data on free school meals, progression from primary to secondary schools, exclusions, and elective home education² (EHE).

Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)

The committee was to receive an update regarding young people classified as Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). The report recommended that members continue to support Blackpool Education Improvement Partnership and the Blackpool Employment and Skills Partnership Board.

The report noted that local authorities have a statutory duty to monitor the destinations of children in school years 12 and 13 and promote participation in education or training. It stated that in 2024/25, 84.2% of young people in Blackpool aged 16 and 17 years old were 'Participating in learning' compared to 92% in England.

The report also highlighted the work of The Platform, which provides support for young people aged 16-24 to help them move into employment or training.

Children's Services Annual Customer Feedback Report

The committee was scheduled to receive the Children's Services Annual Customer Feedback Report, covering the period 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025. The report included a breakdown of comments, compliments, and complaints received by Children's Services.

The report noted that the number of complaints received remained consistent with the previous year, with Children's Social Care receiving the highest number of complaints. The report also stated that SEND services had seen a 120% increase in the number of complaints received.

Scrutiny Committee Workplan

The committee was to consider the workplan for the 2025/2026 municipal year and consider updates to previous committee recommendations.

Appointment of Co-opted Members

The committee was to consider the appointment of Ms Gemma Clayton as a parent governor co-opted member and Ms Jo Snape as a Diocesan co-opted member to the committee for the municipal year 2025/2026.