NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL

21 MAY 2025

STATEMENT OF CHAIR

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Since the last Full Council, there has been one committee meeting.

Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee: 19 March 2025

https://edemocracy.northyorks.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=1241&MId=9211&Ver=4

Public Statements

There were no public questions or statements.

Feedback from the Executive on 18 February 2025

I informed Committee Members of the matters that I had raised at the Executive meeting and the responses to these from the Executive Members.

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2023/2024

We heard a brief summary of the annual report and had a lengthy discussion with Louise Wallace and Gill Kelly from Public Health on the progress of the recommendations from last year’s annual report “In our Words: A Child’s Life in North Yorkshire”. We heard that there has been an improvement in the mental health of young people, and how the Council is embedding the i-Thrive model to support children in managing their emotions and build their resilience. The Committee expressed their concern about the rise in child obesity and heard how the Council’s healthy schools scheme is addressing this.

Criminal Exploitation

This was a very detailed report presented by Adele Herdsman from the Multi Agency Screening Team and DCI Carol Kirk from North Yorkshire Police. We heard how Organised Crime Group (OCGs) are monitored and were pleased to be informed that 7 County Lines modelled OCGs have been successfully broken up.  It’s reassuring to hear that the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NYSCP) is a great example of multi-agency working. Their website is easily accessible, provides a plethora of information and resources, and enables people to make a safeguarding referral.  The Committee will be familiarising themselves with the website and signpost others to it. The Committee was also asked to work with their local youth workers and North Yorkshire Youth who support young people at risk of criminality and who can help how young people set up youth activities.

North Yorkshire Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) Annual Report 2023/2024

We received a summary from Julie Pattison from the School Improvement Team.  She added that there are currently SACRE vacancies for Baptist, Buddhist and Salvationist representatives so please do get in touch with her if you could assist. We heard how the RE syllabus is monitored and how SACRE can support the schools where student feedback may not be as positive as others.

Work Programme 2025/2026

The Committee agreed on the work programme for the next 12 months, and I am pleased to say that we have a very busy year ahead.   

COUNCILLOR BARBARA BRODIGAN

May 2025