To provide the committee with the draft final report of its task and finish group looking at the provision of early help.

1. The Chair introduced the findings of the Early Help Task and Finish Group, noting that the review had examined the Early Help landscape across Herefordshire. The review identified a strong and developing system supported by effective partnership working and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

2. Members highlighted the importance of the Families First programme and Family Hubs in strengthening preventative support and improving service coordination.

3. Officers provided an update on the implementation of Families First. Members were advised that Early Help teams had been integrated into locality structures, with family help teams operating across all areas. Training programmes were supporting implementation and a new Family Help Assessment had been successfully piloted. Positive feedback had been received from families, particularly regarding opportunities for self-assessment and greater involvement in the process. Full implementation was scheduled from 1 August.

4. Members sought clarification on whether the new arrangements would simplify access to support. Officers confirmed that referrals would continue through the Integrated Front Door but that processes would be streamlined. Partner agencies would be able to submit Family Help Assessments directly, reducing administrative barriers and improving efficiency.

5. The committee discussed arrangements for identifying and supporting young carers. Officers outlined plans for a "No Wrong Doors" approach, including a screening tool within Family Help Assessments to support earlier identification and access to appropriate services. Members also discussed the national challenge of under-identification, noting that training, awareness raising and new screening arrangements were expected to improve identification rates.

6. The committee received an update on the Family Hub programme. Members were advised that the initiative forms part of a national programme bringing together a range of support services for families, with a focus on younger children while maintaining an ambition to support young people up to age 19, or 25 for those with SEND.

7. Officers outlined progress in establishing Family Hubs across the county through the transformation of existing children's centres and the development of additional sites. Provision would include parenting support, speech and language services, infant feeding support, mental health services, SEND support and activities to improve school readiness. Members noted the importance of accessible, welcoming environments where families could seek support at an early stage.

8. Members raised questions regarding long-term sustainability, including funding arrangements and workforce capacity. Officers advised that sustainability planning was underway and included embedding successful initiatives within commissioned services, developing workforce capacity, encouraging community ownership and building an evidence base to support future investment opportunities. While ongoing grant funding could not be guaranteed, the programme was intended to demonstrate impact and strengthen future funding bids.

9. Members reflected on challenges faced by partnership initiatives once time-limited funding ended and noted the importance of using the Family Hub programme to demonstrate the value of collaborative working. Opportunities to explore alternative delivery models were also highlighted.

10. The committee sought clarification on support for older children and young people. Officers acknowledged that current funding was focused largely on younger children but advised that planning for older age groups was already underway, including links to youth services, safe spaces, substance misuse support, resilience services and schools. Parenting programmes for older children were also being delivered and increasingly linked to Family Hub provision.

11. The committee discussed development of the emerging Youth Strategy. Members were advised that the strategy had been informed by engagement with young people and partners and that work was underway with local councils, voluntary organisations and community groups to strengthen youth provision and develop local delivery networks. The creation of safe spaces for young people was identified as a key priority. Officers noted that consultation had concluded and that the strategy was being finalised alongside an initial one-year action plan.

12. Members also received an update on youth services more broadly. Existing provision continued to be delivered through partnership funding arrangements, while work was underway to position the council and its partners to benefit from future opportunities arising from the recently published national Youth Strategy. Efforts to develop qualified youth workers and strengthen local sector capacity were also highlighted.

13. Members raised questions regarding children's language development and wider developmental outcomes. Officers outlined arrangements for assessing children's development during the early years and explained that those requiring additional support could be referred to specialist services and targeted interventions.

14. In concluding the discussion, the committee recognised the breadth of Early Help provision available across Herefordshire and the positive contribution of partnership working. Members noted the continued progress of Families First and Family Hubs and the opportunities these programmes present to strengthen preventative support and improve outcomes for children, young people and families.

Resolved that:

• The committee formally endorsed the Task and Finish Group report and its recommendations.
• Progress updates be reported to scrutiny in early 2027, including information on the implementation of Families First, Family Hubs and the operation of new self-assessment referral processes.