The Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee was scheduled to discuss the Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership's Annual Report for 2024/25, an update on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Alternative Provision, and the My Say Matters Youth and Democracy Report for April 2024 to March 2025. The meeting agenda also included updates on Task and Finish Groups and the Cabinet Forward Plan.

Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership - Annual Report 2024/25

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to scrutinise the annual report of the Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP). This statutory partnership, involving the Local Authority, North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB), and Police partners, aims to safeguard children and promote their welfare. The report covers the period April 2024 to March 2025 and details the BSCP's achievements and how it has worked towards six strategic priorities: strengthening leadership and partnership, tailoring work to local issues, driving continuous improvement in safeguarding practice, responding effectively to serious safeguarding cases, creating a strong feedback loop with children and families, and measuring the impact of its work. The report also notes that independent scrutineers visited the BSCP to assess the effectiveness of multi-agency safeguarding arrangements and will provide feedback.

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Alternative Provision Update

This report was set to provide an update on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) in Barnet, focusing on the academic year 2024-2025. Key areas for discussion included the local and national context, rising complexity and demand for services, sufficiency of special school places, updates on alternative provision, inspection outcomes, and the financial position of the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant. The report was expected to highlight a projected in-year deficit of £5.9 million for Barnet's High Needs Block, despite strong outcomes for SEND cohorts. Mitigations such as workforce investment, dispute resolution strengthening, AP reform, and a spend to save approach to therapies were to be discussed. The report also aimed to gain support for capital solutions, such as the rebuilds of Oakleigh and Mapledown Special Schools, to address sufficiency and value for money.

My Say Matters Youth and Democracy Report: April 2024-March 2025

This report was scheduled to detail the universal Youth and Democracy offer to Barnet's young people aged 11-18, as part of the Council's My Say Matters Child Participation and Family Involvement Strategy. It was to cover activity between April 2024 and March 2025, including the UK Youth Parliament, Barnet Youth Ambassador schemes, the Youth Assembly, and the Youth Board. The report was expected to provide demographic details of participants, views expressed by young people, and the impact of their involvement, with supporting evidence and testimony. The report aimed to highlight the benefits of civic participation for young people and the Council's commitment to incorporating their voices into policy and service delivery.

Cabinet Forward Plan (Key Decision Schedule)

The Sub-Committee was to consider the Cabinet Forward Plan for 2026. This plan outlines Key Decisions that the Authority proposes to take at forthcoming Cabinet meetings. The Sub-Committee was invited to review the plan and identify any items they might wish to request for pre-decision scrutiny during 2026. This process allows for non-Executive Members to provide input on major policies and strategies while they are still in development.

Task and Finish Group Updates

Updates were scheduled on the progress of various Task and Finish Groups. These groups, formed to conduct in-depth reviews of specific issues, were expected to provide reports on their findings and recommendations. The agenda indicated ongoing work for groups focusing on Allotment Management and Governance, Food Security, Fostering, Sustainable Travel, Fast Food, Young Carers, Flats above shops, and Emotionally Based School Avoidance. The progress of previously completed groups, such as those on Elective Home Education and Youth Homelessness, was also to be reviewed.

Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee Work Programme

The Sub-Committee was to review its own work programme for August 2025 to July 2026. This agenda item allows for the committee to assess its current activities, make any necessary amendments, and ensure its work remains aligned with the Council's priorities and the concerns of local residents. The work programme outlines scheduled topics for future meetings, including discussions on Safeguarding Children and Young People, Special Educational Needs and Disability, the My Say Matters Annual Report, Children's Services Financial Updates, and Task and Finish Group updates.