Minutes:
The Chair introduced the new Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services to the Committee, who was present to give an update on the challenges faced by the service.
The Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services advised that there continued to be significant pressures on the Children’s Care budget due to the increased number of young people in the care system. There were increased costs associated with external foster care placements as the numbers of looked after children also increased. He went on to describe the pressures in Special Educational Needs and Disability budgets as the complex health needs and challenges in mainstream schooling increased.
Home to School transport was another area facing budgetary pressures as the County covered large geographical areas, and the Corporate Director advised that a lot of work had been carried out over the last 12 months to manage the budgets around demand.
The Chair thanked the Corporate Director for attending the meeting.