Agenda item

Report from the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the activity to date to improve early years outcomes and tackle inequalities.

2.    Approve the Best Start Local Plan for implementation from April 2026.

Consideration was given to the report which provided an update on the Best Start Plan. The Department for Education (DfE) issued targets for Local Authorities (LAs) to improve Good Level of Development (GLD) as part of its "Best Start in Life" strategy, aiming for 75% of 5 year-olds nationally to reach GLD  by 2028, issuing new data tools and funding to guide local planning and intervention. All local authorities had to publish a Best Start Plan by 31st March 2026 in line with the guidance.

The report provided an overview of current activity across Rotherham to improve Early Years outcomes, tackle inequalities, and ensure that all children, especially those who were disadvantaged, got a strong foundation for school, contributing to the Council’s wider ambition that children and young people achieved. The report outlined the key activity undertaken in developing the new Best Start Local Plan, including a comprehensive needs analysis, engagement, and consultation. The report also sought approval of the Best Start Local Plan and outlined the timeline for implementation to achieve the ambitions identified.

The Plan had to outline strategies to reach the agreed local contribution to the national 75% GLD target and address regional disparities. The reinforced legal and strategic framework shifted the local focus from simply providing childcare places to achieving specific developmental outcomes. Rotherham Council was required to improve the percentage of 5 year olds reaching a Good Level of Development in their Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) assessments to 73.3% (and 56.6% of 5 year olds eligible for free school meals) by 2028. Paragraph 1.3 of the report set out the Rotheram Context.

Section 2.1 of the report detailed how the Best Start Local Plan was being developed. A summit led by Rotherham Council had been held in December 2025 and participants engaged in 2 workshops. The first focused on current practices and the second on generating ideas for doing things differently. The summit concluded by agreeing the appropriate next steps and informing the development of the Best Start Local Plan.

Section 2.2 of the report set out the guiding principles that would underpin the Best Start Local Plan. An analysis of local need was included at Section 2.3 and the priorities set out in Section 2.4 were based on this need.

The Cabinet Member advised that progress against the Best Start Local Plan would be monitored by the Best Start and Beyond Steering Group. Regular updates would be provided to the Health and Care Place Board, Children and Young People’s Change Management Board and Senior Leadership Team. Overarching responsibility would sit with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People who would report into the Health and Wellbeing Board.

The report was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board who advised that the recommendations be supported. Discussions had focused on the data included, equalities considerations and terminology.

An additional recommendation was put to Cabinet that Children and Young People’s Services work with the Director of Policy, Strategy and Engagement to identify information in relation to specific neighbourhoods, and this would then inform the development of and work on the Best Start Local Plan. This recommendation was accepted.

Resolved:

That Cabinet: 

1.    Note the high level of satisfaction with the baby packs, particularly in relation to the quality and usefulness of the items provided. 

2.    Approve an open procurement exercise to ensure continuity of registering and delivery of baby packs to Rotherham families.

3.    Agree that Children and Young People’s Services will work with the Director of Policy, Strategy and Engagement to identify information in relation to specific neighbourhoods, and this would then inform the development of and work on the Best Start Local Plan.