Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Byrne.

The Chair noted that the Board should appoint a Vice Chair for the municipal year 2025/26. A vote was held on the appointment of the Vice Chair.

RESOLVED: That Councillor McLaren be Vice Chair for the municipal year 2025/26.

There were no public questions for this meeting to consider.

To consider the minutes of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Board held on 20^th March 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th March 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Report detailing a motion from the Youth Council as agreed at Council on 9^th April 2025.

The Board received a report from Constitutional Services, noting a Youth Council Motion that was agreed at the Oldham Council meeting on 7^th April 2025. The report noted that, as part of the motion, Council agreed to ‘Complete an overview and scrutiny study of Mental Health service’s waiting times (including CAMHS).

RESOLVED: That the recommendations of the report be noted, establishing a task and finish group to investigate the issue of Mental Health service’s waiting times (including CAMHS) and that the composition of the Task and Finish Group be as follows:

Councillors Z. Ali, Bishop, Hobin, Hughes and McLaren.

Report detailing the corporate performance indicators for the fourth quarter of 2024/25.

Anthony Decrop provided the Board with an update on the Corporate Performance Report for the Children and Young People service, covering the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the fourth quarter of 2024/25.

It was highlighted that the KPIs for quarter 4 were an improvement on quarter 3, with less red KPIs than the previous quarter. It was noted that the complaints responded to within timescales for the Children and Young People service was only 28.9% against a target of 75%. This was noted as being unacceptable, although it was highlighted that this metric doesn’t account for complex cases where an increased timescale had been agreed.

Members asked questions on complaints, and it was agreed that a focus on complaints would be brought to the next Scrutiny Board meeting along with a breakdown of complaints by the reason for the complaint. It was also agreed that figures would be helpful on the KPIs as well as the percentages already within the report.

Members also requested that snapshot data of the reasons for repeat referrals be provided to the Board.

Matt Bulmer presented the quarter 4 KPIs for the Education and Early Years service. It was noted that there were issues in relation to timeliness of EHC plans and annual reviews, although numbers were increasing. It was noted that the council was still in the top 10% nationally on the KPIs. It was noted that the number of NEET cases was slowly rising, which was the combination of a large cohort and a number of training providers having left the area, although these providers had now returned.

Members raised the issue of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). It was noted that a deep dive was being carried out into NEET and that the findings of that would be shared with the Board, as would the gender breakdown data.

RESOLVED: That the Children and Young People Scrutiny Board notes the Corporate Performance Report for quarter 4 of 2024/25.

Report providing an update on the Children’s Service Action Plan and Finance.

Sheila Garara and Lee Walsh provided the Board with an update on the Children’s Services Action Plan and Finance. There was an overspend of £12.333m within the Children’s service, which was mainly due to an overspend on social care placements of £11.602m.

The report also highlighted key strengths and progress, priorities for 2025 and an update on the Children’s Transformation and Sustainability Programme, including workstream progress strands.

Members asked questions about the use of agency staff, how long staff were staying in the roles, and the timeline for delivering the Families First Partnership. It was agreed that length of service data would be provided to the Board, and that the update reports brought to future meetings would have Red, Amber, Green (RAG) ratings as well.

RESOLVED: That the Board notes the Children’s Service Action Plan and Finance Update.

Report updating on the Family Hubs Programme.

Bruce Penhale presented a report updating on the Family Hubs Programme, noting that there are seven Family Hubs within the borough, including at least one in each district. The Board was also updated on the alignment with wider developments, an improved digital offer, the achievements of the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, and the next steps for the programme.

Members raised questions on service outreach, children’s centres and the promotion of the Hubs and it was agreed that information would be provided to the Board on what services are promoted via social media and whether this is done by town/area or by ward.

Members noted that there was a geographic issue with the distribution of the Family Hubs around the borough. It was agreed that information would be provided to the Board on why these sites were chosen.

RESOLVED: That the Family Hubs Programme Update be noted.

To consider a draft work programme for the Scrutiny Board for 2025/26.

The Chair noted that he would like to see more items related to the CSE Steering Group in the Work Programme than only the Annual Report.

RESOLVED: That the Work Programme be noted by the Board.

The Scrutiny Board considered the Key Decision Document which records key decisions that the authority is due to take.

RESOLVED: That the Key Decision Document be noted.

To consider any rule 13 or 14 decisions taken since the previous meeting.

There were no Rule 13 and 14 decisions to be considered.