The Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss updates on housing associations, resident experience, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and the committee's work programme. Councillors were also expected to review the forward plan and receive updates from scrutiny panels and the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC).

SEND and Alternative Provision Programme Update

The committee was scheduled to review the progress of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Programme and note the outcome of the Ofsted/CQC inspection¹ and the resultant SEND and AP Strategic Improvement Plan.

The report pack included details of the programme's objectives, including:

• improvements in the quality of the SEND service
• a balanced and sustainable financial position in the Dedicated Schools Grant² High-Needs Block
• measurable benefits to children and young people with SEND and their families
• ensuring the voice of children and young people is heard
• implementation of a new operating model with partners
• successful implementation of interventions and changes in the Written Statement of Action and Safety Valve³

The report pack also contained updates on nine projects being delivered through the programme, including:

• Developing an Inclusive System
• Children’s Therapies
• SEND System Operating Model
• Re-profiling of Provision in Borough
• Developing commissioning to ensure quality and sufficiency
• Preparation for Adulthood
• Alternative Provision
• SEND Transport
• Top Up Funding / Banding model
• Local Offer Phase 2

The report pack stated that the Safety Valve programme is on track to achieve its projected deficit in the current year and a £0 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit by the end of the agreement.

The report pack noted that an Ofsted and CQC inspection took place in October 2024, with an improved rating, moving from a Written Statement of Action and DfE intervention to the middle rating of the Ofsted Outcomes Framework. The next full area SEND inspection will be within approximately three years.

Transforming Community Experience (TCE) Resident Experience Update

The committee was scheduled to note the achievements of the Resident Experience Project, review the benefits to be delivered during the Delivery Phase, and consider the introduction of structured Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and performance metrics.

The Resident Experience Project sits within the council’s Transforming Community Experience (TCE) Programme and is designed to create a seamless, integrated, and accessible resident front-door, by modernising interactions through digital innovation, process improvements, and community-centred service delivery.

During its Implementation Phase, Resident Experience consolidated Customer Services, Libraries, Community Solutions, and Customer Relations teams into a single Resident Experience and Localities Service.

The report pack outlined the role the TCE Programme is playing in reshaping resident interactions with the council, the specific contributions of Resident Experience within the TCE Target Operating Model, key milestones delivered to date, and future plans for ongoing service enhancements and continuous improvement.

The report pack stated that the council wants residents in Hounslow to have the very best experiences when interacting with it or accessing any of its services, with five key drivers:

• Provide the community with a high quality, consistent experience when interacting with the council.
• Ensure the community can access information about services, help, and support that is available in a manner that is appropriate for them
• Empower residents to manage their own interactions with the council for all services, using the council’s digital platforms.
• Drive efficiencies in council Services through end-to-end resident focused process redesign enabled by technology.
• Using data and insight to learn from feedback from residents, including complaints, adapting our approach to meet needs and tackle inequalities.

The report pack also detailed improvements to online and telephony channels, the rollout of Community Hubs, and efforts to tackle inequalities and strengthen partnership working.

Housing Associations Update

The committee was scheduled to review progress and comment on the work of housing associations locally. According to the report pack, social housing is an important component of the borough’s housing stock. While Hounslow Council is the largest social landlord with 13,000 tenants, there are also more than fifty housing associations providing a further 10,000 homes to local people.

The report pack included updates from housing associations on progress related to better communications amongst housing professionals, better communications with local people, and greater focus on place.

One such update from RHP Housing Association noted that they own and manage 885 homes in Hounslow, with 1,755 residents. In September 2024, they acquired 160 homes in Hounslow through a stock transfer from L&Q⁴. One of their biggest estates in Hounslow is Butts Farm in Hanworth.

RHP reopened their Community Hub on Butts Farm in December 2024 and have delivered a number of community engagement events including the “big clear up”. They are also a partner of the Safer Communities Area Based Partnership and have increased their presence on Butts Farm to tackle anti-social behaviour.

RHP have recently acquired and taken over management of the former L&Q properties on Watermill Way, Basden Grove, Beach Grove, Edmund Grove, Evans Grove, Gatfield Grove, Hill Grove and River Crane Way.

RHP noted three areas to strengthen in partnership with Hounslow council & partners:

1. Increase in rough sleepers on blocks – programme to replace security doors with most robust doors to stop access to unknown person
2. Hounslow Heath estate – concern around drug activity on The Heath – need to reduce size of overhanging trees. Shared border between Hounslow and Richmond Councils.
3. Hounslow Council to provide representation at multiagency meetings and work as a partner to reduce drug-activity on The Heath

Scrutiny Panels and JHOSC updates

The committee was scheduled to review and comment on the work of its Scrutiny Panels and the North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The scrutiny panels include:

• Children and Young People (chaired by Councillor Emma Siddhu)
• Health and Adults Care (chaired by Councillor Riaz Gull)
• Housing and Environment (chaired by Councillor Samina Nagra)

The JHOSC comprises representatives from the boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond and Westminster. Hounslow’s representative on the JHOSC is Councillor Samina Nagra.

Forward Plan Review

The committee was scheduled to review the Forward Plan and consider whether work contained within it should come before the committee later in the municipal year. The Forward Plan lists all the key decisions to be taken by the Cabinet, Cabinet Sub-Groups, the Leader and Cabinet Members, and occasionally by officers using powers delegated to them by councillors.

Work Programme Review

The committee was scheduled to review, consider, and then agree the committee’s work programme.