Tensions surface in Reform group over handling of missing children interviews

A senior Reform UK councillor has criticised a cabinet colleague for calling in one of his own decisions, following a public split within the ruling group at Staffordshire County Council.

Thirteen Reform councillors formally requested a rethink on a decision relating to children who go missing from care after being placed in Staffordshire by other authorities. Among those backing the call-in were three cabinet members and two cabinet support members, highlighting a disagreement at the top of the council.

The decision, taken by Councillor Nicholas Lakin, cabinet member for children and young people, ended county council funding for return home interviews, known as RHIs, for children who are not in Staffordshire’s care. Councils are only legally required to carry out RHIs for children they are responsible for.

Councillor Lakin said the move would allow the authority to redirect resources towards its statutory duties. However, Councillor Anthony Screen, cabinet member for community safety, argued that stopping the interviews would weaken the council’s ability to understand and respond to risks facing vulnerable children.

Following the call-in, the issue was examined by the council’s corporate overview and scrutiny committee. Members questioned Councillor Lakin about the internal disagreement, where he said Councillor Screen had been wrong to challenge the decision.

“He’s misguided, it’s as simple as that,” Councillor Lakin said.

“The previous administration used Staffordshire ratepayers’ money to fund other authorities, when it comes to return home interviews.

“He’s got concerns, I’ve got concerns, but when you look at all the facts, all the legislation, all the procedures in place, then just changing who actually carries out the RHIs will free up social workers’ ability to carry out their statutory duties. RHIs for those children will still happen, but they’ll be funded by their local authority.”

Councillor Lakin also said other Reform councillors had followed what he described as Councillor Screen’s “misguided advice”, rather than speaking directly to him or council officers. He told the committee the issue had already been discussed in cabinet.

Cabinet members Andrew Mynors and Martin Rogerson also supported the call-in, along with cabinet support members Alex Hunt and Patrick Allen. However, officers said council rules prevent full cabinet members from calling in decisions, meaning only 10 councillors were formally listed on the report.

Councillor Craig Humphreyson, who led the call-in, told the committee the decision raised “significant” safeguarding, operational and governance risks.

“The risks these children face are identical to those faced by Staffordshire children,” he said.

“They live in our communities, attend our schools and go missing from addresses within this county. Removing RHIs reduces the visibility of risk, weakens multi-agency intelligence and undermines our ability to meet statutory safeguarding duties.

“Missing episodes are a critical source of intelligence and RHIs are one of the most important tools for identifying exploitation, coercion and contextual harm.”

Councillor Lakin said intelligence from RHIs carried out by other authorities would not automatically be shared with Staffordshire County Council in any case. The committee was also told Staffordshire Police would continue to carry out safe and well checks for all children in care who go missing in the county.

“It’s only right and proper that the other local authorities take their responsibilities and carry out their legal requirements,” Councillor Lakin said.

“Finance comes into it, but there’s no reduction in funding. It’s not a case of penny-pinching. It’s about utilising the resources as best we can.”

The committee voted against referring the issue back to cabinet, instead supporting the original decision.

Councillor Screen has been approached for comment.