Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M Beanland and M Goldsmith.  Councillors J Clowes and M Gorman were present as substitutes.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, other registerable interests, and non-registerable interests in any item on the agenda.

During consideration of item 6 - Crisis and Resilience Fund 2026-2029 - Delivery Plan - and in the interest of openness, Councillor S Bennett-Wake declared an interest by virtue of her role as a volunteer at a community food pantry.

During consideration of item 7 - Renewing the Sufficiency Strategy and Expanding Specialist Provision in Cheshire East - Options Paper - and in the interest of openness, Councillor L Crane declared an interest in her capacity as the Sandbach Ettiley Heath and Wheelock Ward Councillor.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 November 2025.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2025 be agreed as a correct record.

In accordance with paragraph 2.24 of the Council’s Committee Procedure Rules and Appendix on Public Speaking, set out in the Constitution, a total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to put questions to the committee on any matter relating to this agenda. Each member of the public will be allowed up to two minutes each to speak, and the Chair will have discretion to vary this where they consider it appropriate.

Members of the public wishing to speak are required to provide notice of this at least three clear working days’ in advance of the meeting.

Petitions - To receive any petitions which have met the criteria - Petitions Scheme Criteria, and falls within the remit of the Committee. Petition organisers will be allowed up to three minutes to speak.

There were no registered speakers.

To present the findings of the Ombudsman’s investigation and seek formal consideration and noting of the conclusions, including the Council’s response and amended practices.

The committee received a report which presented the findings of the Ombudsman’s investigation and sought formal consideration and noting of the conclusions, including the Council’s response and amended practices.

The report set out the findings of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman regarding a complaint by Miss X about the Council’s intervention following the premature birth of her child in 2022. The Ombudsman identified several faults in the Council’s handling of the case, including unwarranted escalation to child protection processes and legal proceedings, poor communication, and reliance on unevidenced assumptions, alongside a Breach of Human Rights as per Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1989: ‘respect for private and family life’.  These failings caused additional distress, uncertainty for Miss X and resulted in missed opportunities to provide appropriate support.

The Council accepted the findings and completed a learning review with the Cheshire East Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (CESCP), which produced a series of recommendations aimed at changing practice and procedure.  A financial remedy and formal apology were also issued to Miss X.

All Ombudsman recommendations had been actioned, and audit work was being undertaken to ensure that learning was being embedded into practice across the service.

The committee was informed that Miss X had sadly passed away from an unrelated health condition in late 2025 and condolences were expressed to Miss X’s loved ones.

Members asked questions and provided comments in respect of the following:

• Regarding audit work, the number of cases that would be audited, the timeline for work and reporting body.
• The importance of learning from this case and assurance that this was taking place to prevent recurrence of this in the future.
• Concerns were expressed with regards to Legal Services in respect of this case; it was queried what lessons had been learnt from that perspective.
• Staffing levels and the resources available to deliver work; training for own staff and agency staff.
• Sincere condolences were extended to Miss X’s loved ones.
• Cultural failings and lessons learnt; reassurance for this.
• Clarification regarding the timeline of Miss X’s case and what had changed during that time.
• Risk Register for Children’s Services and provision of this to the Children and Families Committee for oversight.
• The implementation of the Ombudsman’s recommendations and update reporting.
• The Council’s Social Work Academy programme.
• The importance of recognising systems and a hierarchy of control in embedding learning and developing practice, notably policy, monitoring, auditing and reviewing.
• The role of the committee within the Committee System and the importance of review and challenge.  Reference was made to scorecards and the possibility of including these on future meeting agendas, as well as to the consideration of matters under Part 2, where both necessary and appropriate.

In response, officers reported that:

• Regarding the audit work, this was undertaken on both a partnership and Cheshire East basis; the exact number of cases could not be provided at this moment in time.  The audit in respect of the learning being embedded would take place over a three-month period; a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

To consider a report on the Crisis and Resilience Fund 2026 - 2029 - Delivery Plan.

The committee considered the report which sought Members’ approval of the Crisis and Resilience Fund Delivery proposal for 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29.

The report set out the background of the Household Support Fund (HSF), which had provided support since December 2020.  The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) was intended to combine and replace the HSF and Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) from March 2026.  The CRF was expected to provide £3.781m in 2026/27; £3.779m in 2027/28 and £3.816m in 2028/29 (£11.376m total) in funding for Cheshire East until 31 March 2029.

The grant required the Council to provide crisis support and to fund community organisations delivering financial?resilience activity, alongside targeted support through the local authority.

The proposed delivery model included:

·         Food, energy and household essential payments.

·         A community grant programme for third?sector organisations.

·         Distribution of support through the existing triage network to ensure timely and tailored assistance.

During consideration of this item, Councillor S Bennett-Wake declared an interest by virtue of her role as a volunteer at a community food pantry.

The committee asked questions and made comments in respect of:

• Contingency within the MTFS and risks of clawback.
• Ongoing and/or annual and end?of?programme appraisal of expenditure across service areas, i.e. Children’s Services and Adult Services to determine which areas were most in need.
• Eligibility, provision and monitoring of third?sector grants, including food banks.
• Referral routes, checks and balances, and potential use of open?banking tools.
• Links with other services to support households to improve longer?term financial resilience.
• Administrative capacity and whether existing resources were sufficient.
• Procurement requirements for organisations already contracted with the Council.
• Environmental considerations, including the percentage number of refurbished white goods.
• Rural access, transport support, and ensuring that hard?to?reach communities were not overlooked.

In response, officers reported that:

• Demand for support meant clawback was unlikely, and financial management was robust.
• Data on distribution of funding could be provided at any point.
• Community grants would be administered through the Council’s established process/Community Team.  Within the grant conditions, more focus was on social supermarket; further information would be requested from appropriate officers and a written response provided.
• Referrals could be made by a wide range of professionals, Councillors and partners.  Further information could be provided if requested.
• Strengthened financial?vulnerability assessments were being explored.
• The triage network and third?sector grants supported wider prevention work.
• An administration allowance within the grant funded the current delivery team.
• Some contracts must be reprocured for delivery from 1 April 2026.
• Refurbished goods would continue to be provided within relevant contracts, up to 40% of overall provision.
• Rural considerations were recognised, with transport support forming part of the offer.
• The CRF formed part of a wider system of support delivered with partners.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the Children and Families Committee

1.    Endorse the proposed delivery model of the Crisis and Resilience Fund for 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29.

2.    Delegate authority of the grant to the Director of Children’s Services (DCS) to deliver the grant in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

To consider an options paper/report regarding Renewing the Sufficiency Strategy and Expanding Specialist Provision in Cheshire East.

During consideration of this item, Councillor L Crane declared an interest by virtue of the fact that she was Sandbach Ettiley Heath and Wheelock Ward Councillor.

The committee considered the report which provided an update of the current pressures and challenges with the sufficiency of SEND placements across Cheshire East, and a more detailed oversight of the data and information required to ensure decisions about how both capital and high needs spend were prioritised to ensure the highest impact on meeting the needs of all children and young people with SEND across Cheshire East.

The officers highlighted the following points:

• Approval was being sought to self?deliver and fund an all?through school at Westfields, which would require pausing the Cledford project and declaring St. Gregory’s and Vernon Infant School were surplus to requirements of Children and Families.
• There had been late developments following a Department for Education (DfE) communication in December 2025 regarding the proposed Alternative Provision (AP) free school at Flag Lane, with the YES Trust being the appointed sponsor.  The DfE had announced a national change in approach, indicating that free schools without a confirmed sponsor would not be progressing.  In terms of AP free school at Flag Lane, local authorities had been offered the option of receiving additional capital funding instead, to look at other options to enable the delivery of places.
• The Council was required to confirm to the DfE by 27 February 2026 whether it wished to proceed with the AP free school or accept capital funding as an alternative. Officers were seeking clarity from the DfE on the deliverability and timescales for the Flag Lane project before making a recommendation.
• Due to the timescales involved, an additional recommendation was proposed to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Chair and Vice?Chair of the Committee, to make the necessary decisions regarding the AP free school.
• Government reforms relating to inclusion and effective use of resources, ahead of the anticipated White Paper announcement, were expected.
• There was a need to revise the SEND sufficiency strategy to reduce pressures on the High Needs Block and strengthen mainstream inclusion.  High numbers of EHC needs assessment requests were attributed to unmet needs in mainstream settings, and officers emphasised the importance of redirecting SEND capital to support inclusive practice alongside specialist provision.
• Even with additional DfE capital, the full cost of the Westfields scheme would not be covered, and therefore a review of all remaining SEND capital commitments was required.  Schools would be engaged in a partnership process to identify local priorities for investment.
• Schools would be engaged in a partnership process to identify local priorities for investment.
• The committee was asked to approve proceeding with an all?through special school at Westfields and to pause the Cledford scheme pending completion of the revised sufficiency strategy.  Westfields was identified as the preferred option due to site ownership, capacity and ability to deliver 140-plus places on a single site.
• Officers would undertake detailed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

To consider a report regarding the National House Project.

The meeting resumed at 1:45pm.

Councillor M Gorman and Councillor B Wye left the meeting during consideration of this item and did not return.

The committee considered the report which outlined the project’s purpose, intended outcomes, and business case for Cheshire East implementing a Local House Project as part of its leaving care offer, and sought approval for a total investment of £351,827 to be invested in the on-going base budget. This was on the basis that downstream net savings of between £95,270 and £294,472 (increasing to £168,935 and £368,637 from cohort 2) could be achieved per annum per cohort, whilst also offering improved outcomes to the Council’s cared for children and care leavers.

The proposal aimed to support up to 10-12 care leavers per year to develop the skills, confidence, and stability needed to live independently in their own tenancies.

Members were informed that the project provided intensive support over approximately nine months, focusing on independent?living skills, education, employment, mental health and well?being, and the development of peer community networks.  Young people would then move into their own permanent tenancies, with ongoing access to a local hub for continued support.  Nationally, the programme had delivered strong outcomes, including high tenancy?sustainment rates.

The business case projected a return on investment of £2.33 for every £1 spent, based on reduced placement costs and improved long?term outcomes.  Governance proposals included establishing a steering group, recruitment of a dedicated project team, and close partnership work with strategic housing and registered providers.  Key risks identified included workforce recruitment and the availability of suitable housing, both of which would be actively managed through the project’s risk framework.

The committee asked questions and made comments in respect of:

• The suitability of the model within a geographically dispersed authority.
• Experience of other neighbouring local authorities and housing providers.
• Managing transition between services for young people.
• Cost-benefit assumptions/projections and the cohort mix.
• Wraparound support, education links and long?term contact for young people.
• Potential duplication with other supported accommodation programmes.
• Engagement with housing providers and risks associated with property availability.
• Housing allocation policies and how permanent tenancies would be secured.
• Consideration was given to the timeliness of this report in terms of other work to be carried out.

In response, officers reported that:

• The programme was deliverable across Cheshire East with successful identification of the cohort of young people, the properties available to them and appropriate partnership arrangements, particularly with Strategic Housing colleagues.
• The project started in Stoke-on-Trent ten years ago; 30 local authorities were delivering the programme nationally.  It was very much bespoke to the cohort.
• Engagement with housing providers began in 2024 and further meetings were planned – the matter of other local authorities would be raised with them.
• Young people would retain ongoing access to a local hub in Cheshire East as part of wraparound support.  It was anticipated that this would be up to age 24-25 years.
• The project targeted a distinct cohort with more intensive needs and complimented, not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

To consider a report which provides an update on progress made against the Children’s Services Improvement Plan.

Councillor G Hayes left the room during consideration of this item and did not return.

The committee received a report which provided an update on the progress of the Children’s Services Improvement Plan.

The report addressed the findings from both the Ofsted inspection in February and March 2024, and the Councillor visits to frontline services which took place in November 2025.

The findings of the third Ofsted monitoring visit on cared for children and permanence were published on 13 November 2025.

The following matters were highlighted:

• A revised and more robust quality of practice framework, which incorporated updated practice standards, had almost been completed.
• A wide-scale Restorative Practice Development programme, with sessions beginning in February 2026, which reached across the whole department and was extended to partners had recently been commissioned.
• A Housing Charter for Care Experienced Young People aged 16-25 was launched.
• Training for designated teachers new to their role had been devised.
• A refreshed and more active recruitment campaign had been launched.
• Feedback from the third Ofsted monitoring visit in October 2025 indicated that the Senior Managers were sharply focused on improving practice and the feedback also demonstrated a range of positives in social work practice.  However, it had been recognised that there was still work to do, with consistency of practice being a key focus.
• 57% of the Improvement Plan was complete; there were currently 36 amber E actions showing on the Plan.
• Officers were currently refreshing the plan to include new learning and findings since the inspection. Amber E actions would be scrutinised by the audit framework.
• Regarding performance measures in red, reference was made to the timeliness of visiting children following referrals; the timeliness of strategy discussions and convening of initial child protection conferences all still required improvement.
• The updated Improvement Plan would align to the Workforce Strategy and quality of assurance; it was important to ensure that resources were available to staff going forward.

Members asked questions and made comments in respect of:

• Red ratings for the number of children in unregistered placements and those linked to Police Protection Orders (PPOs)/ Police Powers and related legal/judicial matters.
• Positive feedback arising from Councillor frontline visits.
• Support groups for Kinship Carers, similar to SEND forums.
• Staffing matters and potential addition of this to the work programme.
• Reference to a previous Staffing Committee that looked at issues such as sickness, absence and reasons for leaving.  It was queried whether a report detailing these issues could be provided to this committee.
• Relationships with health partners and how these could be developed.
• The importance of forensic audit work in understanding where the fundamental issues were.
• Looking at other local authorities to identify areas of best practice and benchmarking opportunities.
• Quality assurance in relation to a recent Councillor frontline visit, which had been both interesting and robust.  It was highlighted that the teams were fully cooperative and wished to grow and develop through feedback.

In response, officers reported that:

• In terms of unregistered placements, the aim was to not have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

To consider the Work Programme and determine any required amendments.

The committee considered the Work Programme. 

The following was noted:

·         In the period since the agenda had been circulated, one further item had been added to the Work Programme, as follows:

For consideration at the 16 February 2026 meeting of the Children and Families Committee: In response to a Notice of Motion submitted to Full Council on 10 December 2025 – ‘Prohibiting Smartphone Use in Local Authority Schools’.

A joint committee briefing had been arranged for Members of this committee and the Adults and Health Committee to take place on 28 January 2026, prior to consideration at the 16 February 2026 meeting.

·         With regards to the ‘New Primary school at Basford East, near Weston, Crewe - Update for members on the recent public consultation’ item for consideration on 16 February 2026, Councillor J Clowes referred to the locality of the proposed site.  The Member requested that detailed questions be asked in relation to ensuring that children could safely access the site, as there were concerns about this.

·         Flag Lane and the Audit findings of the Ombudsman report to be added to the Work Programme.

RESOLVED:

That the Work Programme be received and noted.