The Children, Education and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 28 April 2026 to discuss early years provision, the Best Start in Life plan, and progress on family hubs. The committee also reviewed its annual report and work programme.

Early Years Provision and the Best Start in Life Plan

The committee received a comprehensive update on early years provision in West Northamptonshire, including the findings of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) for 2025. The CSA identified a deficit of 152 childcare places across the county for September 2025, with particular shortfalls in the Castle and Billing and Rectory Farm wards for 3 and 4-year-olds, and a wider deficit for under-2s across several wards. Providers highlighted significant pressures, including rising needs, insufficient funding, workforce challenges, and sustainability concerns.

The committee also considered the West Northamptonshire Council Best Start in Life Plan, which aims to improve the good level of development for children by the end of reception year. The plan sets an ambitious target of 77.2% for all children by 2028, with a specific focus on disadvantaged children, aiming for 59.9% to achieve a good level of development. Key priorities include strengthening speech, language, and communication skills, improving writing outcomes, reducing inequalities, enhancing early identification and intervention, improving early health outcomes, strengthening the home learning environment, and ensuring a no wrong door approach to accessing support.

Councillor Hebbin raised concerns about ensuring sufficient early years provision in light of new housing developments, to which officers responded that they were working closely with planning departments and developers. Councillor Holland highlighted the correlation between shortages in early years provision and areas of deprivation, and the need to address quality issues, particularly in Private, Voluntary, and Independent (PVI) settings. Councillor Alex questioned how parents in Hunsbury were being supported to find childcare and what additional funding was being deployed. The committee agreed to receive an updated report in six months.

Family Help and Family Hubs

The committee received an update on the progress of West Northamptonshire's Family Help Strategy and the Family Hub model. Since March 2025, five family hubs and spokes have opened, with further sites planned for 2026. These hubs aim to provide a joined-up, multi-agency approach to prevention, early help, and safeguarding. The strategy aligns with other key council and system priorities, including the Youth Offer Strategy and the Best Start in Life Plan.

During the first nine months of operation, family hubs have seen a total footfall of 14,309, with 1173 group sessions delivered and 387 families referred for one-to-one support. The hubs offer a range of universal and targeted support for children aged 0-5, 5-11, and 11-19 (up to 25 for SEND), including sensory sessions, baby massage, sleep workshops, school readiness support, and mental health and wellbeing interventions.

Councillor Owens questioned how the success of family hubs would be measured beyond attendance figures, suggesting metrics related to reduced safeguarding issues or families entering statutory social care. Officers confirmed that case studies were being collected, demonstrating instances where family hub intervention had potentially prevented families from entering statutory services. Councillor Aldridge supported the use of case studies and suggested exploring proactive expansion of outreach services. Councillor Lashford praised the welcoming atmosphere of the Towcester Hub and emphasised the importance of the parent experience. The committee noted the report and commended the work being done.

Youth Offer Strategy

An update was provided on the Youth Offer Strategy, which has been co-produced with young people and is due to go to Cabinet for formal sign-off on 5 May 2026. The strategy aims to provide a comprehensive youth offer up to 2030. Councillor Owens expressed concerns about the sustainability of the strategy given the strain on other multi-agency services, such as the police and primary care. Melanie Barnett, Director of Children's Services, assured the committee that the Youth Offer Board was multi-agency and that partners were committed to the strategy. Councillor Aldridge raised questions about the budget allocation for the strategy, to which Ms Barnett responded that it would be integrated into the medium-term financial plan and that a Cabinet paper would provide further detail.

Annual Report and Work Programme

The committee reviewed and approved the draft Children, Education and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2025/26. The report highlighted key areas of scrutiny undertaken during the year, including SEND provision, housing stock management, early years, and CAMHS. The committee also reviewed its work programme, agreeing to focus on early years, family help and family hubs, and the youth offer strategy for its next meeting. Councillor Hayden requested that knife crime scrutiny be considered for future work programmes, and Councillor Longridge suggested including an overview of school performance. The committee also agreed to consider pre-decision scrutiny on a new policy around rent and service charges for council social housing.

The meeting concluded with thanks to all involved for their contributions.