The Children, Schools and Families Scrutiny Committee met to discuss safeguarding, the best start for children and families, and the progress of the Children and Learning Directorate. Councillors also were scheduled to review the committee's work programme and action tracker.

Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to review the Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership's (CSCP) annual report for 2024-25. The CSCP is jointly led by Camden Council, the NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB), the Metropolitan Police Service, and Camden Learning. The annual report reviews the CSCP's impact on safeguarding arrangements across Camden and has been submitted to the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.

The report highlights that effective safeguarding requires open and transparent cultures, informed senior leaders, and shared responsibility for keeping children safe. It also outlines the roles of independent scrutineers, safeguarding auditors, and young advisors in strengthening multi-agency practice.

The report identifies three safeguarding priority areas for 2023-25:

• Re-engaging vulnerable children in education (including Special Educational Needs and Disabilities [SEND])
• Mental health in the family
• Children Looked After and those that are Care Experienced

The report also shares aggregated themes from local serious incidents and reviews, including:

• Intersectionality and identity
• Supporting Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)
• Suicide prevention and transitional safeguarding
• Safeguarding in short-term residential settings
• Using history to understand risk
• Infant safety and overcrowded housing
• Contextual safeguarding and exploitation
• Transitional safeguarding and developmental needs

The committee was asked to comment on the outcomes achieved by the CSCP, provide feedback to the local statutory safeguarding partners for children, and note the report.

Annual Report of the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families

Councillor Marcus Boyland, Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families, was scheduled to provide his annual report, giving an overview of work and achievements across schools and learning, health for children and families, adult and community learning, children's services and safeguarding, children's special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, corporate parenting, and Early Years & Family Hubs.

The report highlights the importance of reducing child poverty, strengthening family support, and maintaining educational standards. It notes that Camden's education system remains a model of excellence and inclusion, with all schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.

The report also mentions the opening of four Opportunity Centres, including the AI Campus Opportunity Centre in partnership with Google, to address inequalities in access to technology and study facilities. It also notes that over 3,600 students took part in Camden Music activities in 2025.

The committee was asked to comment on and note the contents of the report.

Update of the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People & Culture

Councillor Sabrina Francis, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People and Culture, was scheduled to provide an update relating to her portfolio, with a focus on Camden's Youth Hubs.

Insight, Learning and Impact Report: Children and Learning Directorate

The committee was scheduled to consider the Insight, Learning and Impact Report: Children and Learning Directorate – Quarter 2/Mid-Year 2025-26. The report focuses on performance in Quarter 2 (Q2) 2025-26 for each division across the Children and Learning Directorate, with directors providing a narrative covering key areas of challenge, opportunity, and learning.

Children, Schools and Families Scrutiny Committee's Work Programme and Action Tracker

The committee was scheduled to receive a report outlining the 2025/26 work programme, and an update on actions requested at previous meetings. The future meeting dates for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year were also to be noted: 13 January 2026 and 23 February 2026.

Other items

The agenda also included:

• Apologies for absence
• Declarations of interest
• Announcements
• Deputations (if any)
• Notification of any urgent business
• Approval of the minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2025
• Date of next meeting and future meeting dates
• Any other business that the chair decides to consider as urgent