Resources

This guide brings together shared insights collected at a learning event; from councils, practitioners, and partners on what effective SEND scrutiny looks like in practice. It is designed to support scrutiny members, officers and key partners including health and education, to approach this work with confidence, clarity, and a strong focus on impact.

Read what happened at Woking Borough Council: ambitious decisions and limited oversight created financial challenges, but the council is now learning and building stronger systems for the future.

Essex County Council used scrutiny to look closely at SEND services, bringing in the views of families, checking how well partners work together, and pushing for clearer action to improve support.

Questioning is central to scrutiny as it helps us challenge assumptions, understand complex systems, hold decision-makers to account, and uncover the stories behind the data. Read how to frame and questions effectively in this practice guide.

Read how Cheshire West and Chester Council involved families and local services in scrutiny of SEND, resulting in clear, robust actions to improve support and communication.

The 2024–25 Annual Scrutiny Survey presents national insights into how councils view scrutiny, with key findings brought to life through infographics on impact, leadership, diversity, and place-based practice.

Explore how scrutiny functions can navigate and retain their role effectively during Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), including key principles and considerations for maintaining oversight through the transition.

This case study shows how councillor-led scrutiny in North Somerset helped cut agency staff in children’s social care from 40% to 20%, improving continuity and boosting Ofsted ratings.

Discover how Brighton & Hove City Council moved from a committee system to a leader and cabinet model, creating a more resident-focused approach to governance.

Follow York's journey when their scrutiny function was reviewed, uncovering key issues like ineffective oversight, a lack of strategic focus, and a need for cultural change councillor-officer relationships.

How we can recast council constitutions as a living document that doesn’t just describe power, but shapes how it is held, shared and made accountable

This guide explores how to understand, gather, and use evidence to have the greatest impact in scrutiny work.

This practice guide explores proven approaches that councils have used to assess and articulate their impact, demonstrating how scrutiny can shape better governance and service delivery.

This guide outlines the practical steps for conducting a scrutiny review, a detailed investigation aimed at making evidence-based recommendations for change. It covers the end-to-end process of conducting a scrutiny review, from initial planning to post-review follow-up.

Follow Dudley Council’s journey through a full-scale constitutional review to learn more about the challenges and opportunities of modernising governance.

This case study highlights the importance of experimenting, embracing imperfection and adapting to change as part of the journey to effective governance.

Thurrock Council’s transformation of its Overview and Scrutiny function showcases how structural fixes, skills training, and cultural change can address deep-seated challenges and build a more effective, collaborative governance model.

Discover how a newly appointed Governance Officer built scrutiny and governance skills through taking on the challenge of managing Barnet Council’s Youth Homelessness Task and Finish Group.