The Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to discuss a child safeguarding practice review concerning Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, the City and Hackney Safeguarding Partnership's annual report, and the Hackney Education Strategy. The Commission was also set to review its work programme for the upcoming municipal year.

CHSCP Child Safeguarding Practice Review - Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy

The Commission was scheduled to review the strategic implications of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR) concerning Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy (MVPA). The report, published in December 2025, was commissioned following concerns raised by parents regarding the school's behaviour policy and its impact on students. The review aimed to identify lessons learned concerning the application of behaviour policies and their impact on students, families, staff, and the wider school community. The Commission was to consider the findings and recommendations of the report to assess their strategic implications for the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership (CHSCP), the local authority, and the Department for Education (DfE). Supplementary reports were provided, including the DfE's response to questions from the Commission, MVPA's response to the Commission, and a review commissioned by MVPA led by Anne Whyte KC.

The Anne Whyte KC review, published in November 2025, examined the Mossbourne Federation's policies on safeguarding and complaints handling. It found that while the policies themselves were generally fit for purpose and compliant with statutory requirements, there were areas for improvement in their accessibility and practical application. The review highlighted concerns regarding communication with parents, the recording of complaints, and the perceived inflexibility in the application of the Pupil Behaviour Policy, particularly for pupils with SEND or other individual needs. Key recommendations included making the Complaints Policy more accessible, improving complaint recording and tracking, strengthening staff training on communication, and ensuring public messaging reflects openness and fairness. The review also noted that while no evidence of significant harm or immediate risk to staff was found by the CHSCP, the Federation had already committed to implementing recommendations from the Anne Whyte KC review, focusing on clearer complaints processes, improved staff training, and enhanced communication channels.

CHSCP Annual Report 2024/25

The Commission was scheduled to review the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership's (CHSCP) annual report for 2024/25. The CHSCP is required to produce this report to outline its activities and priorities for the year ahead. The report was presented for the Commission to note and review.

Improving Outcomes for Black Children & Young People

An update was scheduled on the Improving Outcomes for Black Children & Young People programme, which commenced in 2014 as the Young Black Men programme. The programme aims to address local inequalities experienced by Black boys and young men, with its scope expanded in 2023 to include Black girls and young women. The Commission was to review progress and achievements, as well as future plans for this work, with a 10-year evaluation currently being scoped. The programme has focused on systemic change, aiming for equitable outcomes for Black children and young people within Hackney. Key areas of focus have included mental health, reducing harms, education, and employment. The report highlighted successes in community partnerships, anti-racist practice development, and culturally specific interventions, but also noted challenges in achieving equitable outcomes at the speed required and the need for increased resourcing and a whole-borough approach.

Hackney Education Strategy 2025-2028

The Commission was scheduled to note the Cabinet's response to the recommendations made by the Commission regarding the draft Hackney Education Strategy 2025-2028. The Commission had previously reviewed the draft strategy and consultation feedback in October 2025 and provided its response ahead of its planned agreement by Cabinet in December 2025. Deputy Mayor Anntoinette Bramble, Cabinet member for Children's Services and Young People, provided a response addressing each of the Commission's recommendations, including points on resourcing the strategy's priorities, recognising parents and carers as key partners, and the implementation of an area-based model for education planning.

Work Programme 2025/26

The Commission was scheduled to note and review its work programme for the remainder of the municipal year 2025/26. The supplementary agenda provided a detailed breakdown of planned items for future meetings, including discussions on behaviour management and school inclusion, updates on sexual and reproductive health services for children and young people, and reviews of children's centre lessons learned, childcare sufficiency, and support for vulnerable parents. The work programme also included items on the CHSCP's Child Safeguarding Practice Review, the Improving Outcomes for Black Children and Young People programme, and the Hackney Education Strategy. Joint meetings with the Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission were also scheduled to discuss housing support for families of children with SEND and care leavers.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

The Commission was scheduled to note and review the minutes of its previous meetings held on 13 October 2025 and 10 December 2025.

Declarations of Interest

As is standard practice, members were expected to declare any interests in accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct.

Apologies for Absence and Urgent Items / Order of Business

The meeting was also scheduled to address apologies for absence and any urgent items or changes to the order of business.