Committee details

The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee is responsible for scrutiny of all universal, targeted and specialist services for children and young people in West Berkshire, including:

·       Children's centres/family hubs;

·       Early years education;

·       School support services;

·       School improvement;

·       Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND);

·       Home to school/college transport;

·       14-19 education, training and apprenticeships;

·       Careers service;

·       Youth services;

·       Supported accommodation and lodgings;

·       Supported employment for young people;

·       Leaving care service;

·       Youth offending service;

·       Child protection;

·       Children in care;

·       Targeted support for young people;

·       Fostering and adoption;

·       Residential homes for children;

·       Family support.

The committee is comprised of nine councillors, reflecting the political composition of the Council. Members of the Executive cannot be members of this or any scrutiny committee.

Membership of the committee shall include the following statutory co-opted members:

·       two parent governors (representing local authority maintained primary and secondary schools);

·       one Church of England representative; and

·       one Roman Catholic diocesan representative.

The above statutory co-opted members shall be entitled to vote on any matters considered by the committee that relate to schools or education. They shall also be entitled to speak to any other matters considered by the committee, but they shall not be permitted to vote on such matters.

In addition, two non-statutory co-opted members shall be appointed to the Committee, who shall be age 25 or under and living in West Berkshire or working for an organisation in West Berkshire supporting or representing children and young people. The non-statutory co-opted members shall be entitled to speak to any matter considered by the committee, but they shall not have any voting rights.

The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee shall have four scheduled meetings per year. Scrutiny topics shall either be considered as part of a meeting of the full committee, or reviewed by a task and finish group appointed by the committee, which will report back to the committee with its findings and recommendations.

Scrutiny of other services is undertaken by the Resources and Place Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee.

Contact:  Democratic Services

Further information links:

Scrutiny at West Berkshire Council

Getting Involved in Reviewing Council Decisions

Part 6.10 of the Council Constitution