A report providing an update on progress of the Children’s Services Improvement Board.

The Committee received the Children’s Services Improvement Board Inaugural Report. Andy Couldrick, Independent Chair of the Improvement Board provided the Committee with an overview of the report.

The report explained that on 28 January 2025 Council had agreed not to extend its contract with Brighter Futures for Children Ltd and to bring its Children’s Services back in-house.  The transition back into the Council took place on 1st October 2025. This required the establishment of an independently chaired Children’s Services Improvement Board.  It was noted that a report recommending the Terms of Reference and appointment process for an Independent Chair was presented to Council in June 2025.  Andy Couldrick was appointed as the independent chair and the Board was convened in November 2025. As a requirement of the transition this was the first report to ACE Committee.

It was noted that following the Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI), of the multi-agency response to children in Reading who are victims of domestic abuse, a non-statutory improvement notice was issued by the Department for Education to the Council followed by the appointment of a DfE Improvement Advisor. The Advisor also sits on the Children’s Services Improvement Board.

The Committee noted that the Board met for the first time in November 2025 and has continued to meet every six weeks. The Committee noted the Terms of Reference, Forward Plan and key issues that would be monitored by the Improvement Board.

The Committee discussed the report and comments and responses were provided on fostering respite care, corporate parenting role of councillors and supporting young people.

The Chair thanked officers for the report.

Resolved –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That an update on the progress of the Children’s Services Improvement Board be provided to the Committee on a six-monthly basis.