Councillor Louise Penders

Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Monday 8 December 2025 9.30 am

The Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to discuss updates on counter-terrorism, domestic abuse and CCTV in County Durham. The committee was also due to review the minutes from their meeting held on 30 October 2025.

Durham Family Panel - Friday 28 November 2025 9.30 am

The Durham Family Panel convened on Friday 28 November 2025 to review a range of reports and updates concerning children's services. Key discussions were scheduled to cover the annual performance of the Independent Reviewing Officer Service, the ERASE team's work on exploitation and missing children, and the Keeping Families Together initiative. Updates were also anticipated from the Children in Care Council (CiCC) and the Independent Visitor Service.

Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 13 November 2025 9.30 am

The Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to discuss home to school transport, elective home education, and child poverty in County Durham. The committee was expected to note reports on these topics, and provide comments to inform future priorities.

Corporate Parenting Panel - Friday 17 October 2025 9.30 am

The Corporate Parenting Panel of Durham County Council were scheduled to meet on Friday 17 October 2025 to discuss Ofsted updates, the Children in Care Council, the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board Children in Care Annual Report, the Full Circle Annual Performance Report, the Fostering Annual Update, and the Private Fostering Annual Update.

Special, Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Friday 10 October 2025 9.30 am

The Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee convened to discuss Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in County Durham. The agenda included a report from John Pearce, Corporate Director Children & Young People's Services, and a presentation covering various aspects of SEND in the area. The committee was expected to review the current state of SEND support, demand, and the local and national frameworks guiding these services.