Agenda

The minutes of the Family and Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Meeting held on Thursday 16 January 2025, as circulated, to be agreed as a true record and be signed by the Chair.

Unless already entered in the Council’s Register of Members’ interests, members are required where a matter arises at a meeting; 

1. Which directly relates to Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (‘DPI’) as set out in Appendix B, Table 1 of the Code of Conduct, to disclose the interest, not participate in any discussion or vote and not to remain in room. Where members have a DPI or if the matter concerns an executive function and is being considered by a Cabinet Member with a DPI they must notify the Monitoring Officer and arrange for somebody else to deal with the matter.

2. Which directly relates to the financial interest or well being of a Other Registrable Interest as set out in Appendix B, Table 2 of the Code of Conduct to disclose the interest and only speak on the matter if members of the public are also allowed to speak at the meeting but otherwise must not take part in any discussion  or vote on the matter and must not remain the room.

3. Which directly relates to their financial interest or well-being  (and is not  DPI) or the financial well being of a relative or close associate, to declare the interest and members may only speak on the matter if members of the public are also allowed to speak. Otherwise, the member must not take part in discussion or vote on the matter and must leave the room.

4. Which affects the financial well-being of the member, a relative or close associate or a body included under the Other Registrable Interests column in Table 2, to disclose the interest and apply the test set out at paragraph 9 of Appendix B before deciding whether they may remain in the meeting.

5. Where Members have or a Cabinet Member has an Other Registerable Interest or Non Registerable Interest in a matter being considered in exercise of their executive function, they must notify the Monitoring Officer and arrange for somebody else to deal with it. 

NB Any member needing clarification must contact monitoringofficer@northumberland.gov.uk.  Members are referred to the Code of Conduct which contains the matters above in full. Please refer to the guidance on disclosures at the rear of this agenda letter.

This report is to publish to members the Virtual School Headteacher’s Annual Report for 2023-24 regarding the education of Northumberland’s cared for children and care leavers.

The report provides a summary of the work undertaken across Northumberland’s Early Help partnership. These services work alongside partner agencies supporting children, young people and their families, helping them to reach their potential, prevent issues from escalating and enabling them to lead happier and healthier lives. 

The report advises and update the Scrutiny Committee about the input and work of the Principal Social Worker in 2023/24 and an overview of the quality of practice and development needs of frontline social workers.

The report of the Task and Finish Group provides information and makes recommendations to this Committee in respect of the participation of dads and male carers from pregnancy through the first 1001 days of life through accessing family hubs, identifying any gaps and any ways to improve participation.

(a)  Forward Plan

To note the latest Forward Plan of key decisions. Any further changes to the Forward Plan will be reported at the meeting.

(b) Family and Children's Services OSC Work Programme

To consider the work programme/monitoring report for the Family and Children's Services OSC for 2023/24.

To consider such other business as, in the opinion of the Chairman, should, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.