The Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the development and evaluation of Bexley Family Hubs, alongside updates on commissioning developments within children's transformation. The committee was also set to review the draft budget and financial plans for 2026/27 and consider the committee's work programme.

Bexley Family Hubs Development and Evaluation

The committee was scheduled to receive an evaluation report on the first six months of operation of the Erith Family Hub. This report aimed to assess achievements, identify lessons learned, and analyse challenges to ensure the Hub's long-term sustainability and impact. The Hub is intended to be a single, trusted point of access for families needing early help, health, and wellbeing support, operating on principles of prevention, early intervention, accessibility, integration, strengths-based practice, and co-production. The report highlighted achievements such as supporting over 180 families and delivering over 80 group sessions, while also identifying challenges including evidencing long-term outcomes, balancing growth with capacity, engaging hard-to-reach groups, and data sharing. The report was presented for information and any observations the Committee might wish to make.

Commissioning Developments in Children's Transformation

An update was scheduled regarding the Commissioning Services Workstream, part of the Children's Services Transformation within the wider Future Bexley Transformation Programme. This workstream aims to review and re-consider the approach to commissioning within Children's Social Care, focusing on matching children's needs to placements effectively and reviewing current processes to address the financial impact of high-cost placements. An external strategic partner was engaged to evaluate current systems and processes using a 'Valuing Care' approach, which aims to align children's needs, outcomes, and placement costs. The work identified opportunities for needs-led changes to care and support, and recommended redesigning the Placement Referral Form and piloting Home finding forums to improve matching for hard-to-place children. The report was for information and any associated observations the Committee might wish to make.

Draft Budget and Financial Plans 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to review the Children's Services Directorate budget and financial plans for 2026/27, as reported to Public Cabinet. The report indicated a balanced budget for 2026/27, achieved through the Future Bexley transformation programme, service reviews, and technical reviews. The Children's Services Directorate had identified proposed savings of £1.980m in 2026/27 as part of the Future Bexley programme. The report also detailed growth and inflation requirements for Children's Services, amounting to £2.826m, and highlighted key policy and legislation changes impacting the budget, including reforms to children's social care and education. Significant attention was given to the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit and the ongoing Safety Valve agreement with the Department for Education. The committee was invited to comment on the proposals, with their feedback to be reported back to Public Cabinet.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review its annual work programme for the remainder of the year, as attached at Appendix A of the report Item 08 - Appendix A.pdf. Members were asked to identify if any updates or amendments were required. The committee was also to consider information from the Bexley Status Report summary at Appendix B Item 08 - Appendix B.pdf, which provides performance data for Quarter 2 (July to September 2025). Additionally, the committee was to note an update on the SEND PAP Scrutiny Sub-Group and consider any further action required in relation to the latest Budget Monitoring Report at Appendix C. The committee was also to consider any additional reality checking visits it wished to undertake.