The Thriving Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel of Enfield Council was scheduled to discuss several key areas impacting young people in the borough. These included a review of the local offer for Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), an update on emotional wellbeing and mental health support, and progress on the Families First Partnership Programme. The panel was also set to consider reports on preventing offending and the council's work programme for the upcoming year.

Review of Enfield's Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) Offer

The panel was scheduled to receive a report on Enfield's provision for children and young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). The report was expected to detail current challenges, strengths, and pressures within the system, drawing on insights from an independent review by Better Communication CIC and the Local Authority's commissioning review. Key considerations for the panel included the higher demand and costs for SLCN services in Enfield compared to other London boroughs, with an average annual increase of 8.5% in Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) requests since 2020. The report was to highlight strengths such as skilled practitioners and a strong Early Years SLCN offer, alongside areas for development including improving system integration and clarifying roles and responsibilities. Three options for the future of SLCN provision were to be considered: maintaining the current model, partial implementation of recommendations, or a full system redesign.

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Support in Enfield

A comprehensive update on emotional wellbeing and mental health support for children and young people in Enfield was scheduled for discussion. The report was to be structured around the iThrive framework, illustrating the system of care and focusing on a whole-system approach within schools. It was to provide an overview of CAMHS transformation, including wellbeing hubs, digital offerings, targeted interventions, and partnership work on substance misuse and suicide prevention. The report highlighted Enfield's significant social challenges, including deprivation and a high prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which impact the mental health of children and families. Data presented was to show that in 2024/25, 1735 school-aged pupils in Enfield had social, emotional and mental health needs, a rate lower than London and England averages but with a consistent increase since 2020/21. The report was also to detail system changes, including the merger of North Central and North West London Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and the establishment of a Provider Collaborative for Community CAMHS. The vital role of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) was to be acknowledged, alongside detailed updates on initiatives within each iThrive category: Thriving, Getting Advice, Getting Help, Getting More Help, and Getting Risk Support.

Families First Partnership Programme

The panel was to be informed about the Government's national Families First Partnership (FFP) programme, launched in April 2025, which aims to reform services for children and families by rebalancing the system towards early intervention. The report was to share findings from an initial six-month evaluation, demonstrating that programme delivery is on track. The FFP programme seeks to integrate family help teams, strengthen multi-agency child protection, support kinship care and foster families, and reduce reliance on external residential placements. Enfield's phased approach to transformation was to be outlined, with Phase One focusing on integrated family help teams, family decision-making services, and child protection advocacy, expected to be complete by March 2026. Phase Two, involving a new multi-agency child protection team and further expansion of family help, is planned for completion by March 2027. Phase Three, from 2026 to 2029, will focus on kinship care, foster care, and managing the external care market. The report was to detail the programme's principles, benefits, and intended outcomes, such as more coordinated early intervention, fewer children in care, and a more stable workforce.

Preventing Offending

A report on the work undertaken by the Youth Justice Service (YJS) and its partners to prevent young people from becoming involved in offending and reoffending was scheduled for discussion. The report was to outline YJS performance, including a 17.7% decrease in First Time Entrants (FTEs) in Q2 2025/26 compared to the previous year. Enfield's FTE rate was noted as being above the London and national average, despite having the third lowest rate within its benchmarking family. Custodial sentences for young people were reported as remaining low, with one child sentenced to custody in Q1 and Q2 2025/26, a 50% reduction from the previous year. The report was to detail the profile of children involved in offending, highlighting similar trends to the previous year, with court disposals being more prevalent than Out of Court Resolutions. It was also to address the over-representation of minority ethnic groups within the youth justice system and the complex needs and vulnerabilities of the YJS cohort, with over 50% experiencing emotional mental health concerns, substance misuse, or risks of criminal exploitation. The report was to detail partnership prevention schemes, interventions and support for children involved in offending, and efforts to support and safeguard victims.

Work Programme 2025/26

The panel was also scheduled to note the Thriving Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel Work Programme for 2025/26. This document outlines the topics planned for discussion at future meetings, including updates on safeguarding, school deficits, SEND provision, and children in care. Specific items for future consideration included the North Central London Child Death Overview Panel Annual Report and a review of falling school rolls.