Here's a summary of the agenda for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of Barking and Dagenham Council on 5 November 2025. The committee was scheduled to discuss the Educational Health Care Plan process, and the Barking and Dagenham Community Safety Partnership. They were also expected to review the minutes from their previous meeting and to note their work programme for the coming year.

Barking and Dagenham Community Safety Partnership

The committee was scheduled to discuss the work of the Barking and Dagenham Community Safety Partnership (CSP). The CSP is required to formulate and implement strategies to reduce crime and disorder, combat the misuse of drugs and alcohol, reduce re-offending, and prevent serious violence. The report pack included the Report - CSP, Appendix 1 Community Safety Partnership Protocol, Appendix 2 Scanning CSP Strategic Assessment 2025-26, and Appendix 3 BD CSP Strategy Framework.

The committee was asked to note the work of the partners that form the Barking and Dagenham CSP, note the development of a new CSP strategy for 2026-2030, and adopt the Community Safety Partnership Scrutiny Protocol.

The report pack noted that Barking and Dagenham approaches the conclusion of its current Community Safety Partnership Strategy for 2023–26, and continues to face significant challenges relating to crime and disorder. The new strategy for 2026–2030 would be shaped by statutory requirements, data analysis and stakeholder engagement, and would set out shared priorities and clear actions that support the aims of the CSP and complement the council's vision for a safer, cleaner, and more cohesive community.

The CSP operates under legal requirements that ensure its decisions and actions to reduce crime and disorder are subject to oversight by the local authority's Overview and Scrutiny Committee. This scrutiny ensures transparency, accountability, and ongoing improvement in how the CSP delivers its duties. The Appendix 1 Community Safety Partnership Protocol sets out a collaborative framework between the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the CSP, ensuring compliance with legislative duties while promoting transparency, accountability, and strategic improvement.

The Appendix 2 Scanning CSP Strategic Assessment 2025-26 identifies key crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour challenges that affect the borough. It sets out a range of statistical evidence gathered from partner organisations involved in the crime and disorder agenda and uses that evidence to identify current trends, priorities for the Barking and Dagenham CSP, and emerging issues.

The Appendix 3 BD CSP Strategy Framework is designed to support stakeholders in understanding the statutory framework, strategic priorities, and delivery mechanisms that underpin effective partnership working.

The EHC Process

The committee was scheduled to continue its review of the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process, focusing on the key challenges and stages of the process. This was the second of four sessions where the committee was expected to review the pressures on the service, schools and parents. The first session provided evidence regarding the national and local context.

The report pack included a report from Elaine Allegretti, Strategic Director Children and Adults, which summarised the stages of the EHCP process and highlighted potential challenges in meeting timescales. The committee was encouraged to consider the evidence provided and advise on aspects of the EHCP process which they wished to explore more deeply between this meeting and Session 3. They were also encouraged to observe the work of the Assessment team and speak with specialists who contribute reports to the process, such as the Principal Educational Psychologist and the Speech and Language Therapy Services within Health, as well as meeting with parents and school representatives.

The report noted that the council has statutory duties under Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014 (CFA 2014) and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 to identify, assess and secure provision for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN). An EHCP is a legally binding document that sets out the special educational provision required for a child or young person up to age 25. The report stated that failure to meet statutory requirements and timescales may give rise to legal challenge.

Work Programme

The committee was asked to note its work programme for the coming year. The OSC Work Programme 2025-26 November 25 listed upcoming agenda items including budget scrutiny, an update from the Metropolitan Police, and further sessions on the EHCP review.