Decision details

Best Start in Life Plan

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The Best Start in Life Plan is Oxfordshire’s local plan setting out how partners will support babies and young children from pre-birth to school entry, in line with the Government’s Giving every child the best start in life strategy.

Decisions:

Cabinet received a report on the Best Start in Life Plan, which was aimed at improving early childhood development outcomes for all children but particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

 

Councillor Sean Gaul, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, presented the report.

 

Cabinet noted that the intention was to get more children achieving the good level of development (GLD) indicators, reflecting the system-wide approach to achieve this through family support, auto-enrolment on free school meals, early intervention and wider community facilities such as libraries. Cabinet noted the oversight of this plan through the Children’s Trust Board, which reported into the Health & Wellbeing Board.

 

Councillor Gaul moved and Councillor Gregory seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

 

RESOLVED to:

 

a)    Note the release of the plan and share any feedback about its content.

 

 

Report author: Annette Perrington

Publication date: 20/05/2026

Date of decision: 19/05/2026

Decided at meeting: 19/05/2026 - Cabinet

Effective from: 27/05/2026

Accompanying Documents: