The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Merton Council was scheduled to discuss childhood immunisations, the Corporate Parenting Annual Report for 2024/25, and the Education Standards Report, among other departmental updates and performance monitoring items. The meeting's agenda also included a review of the department's work programme.

Childhood Immunisations

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on childhood immunisations, covering the responsibilities of various health bodies including NHS England, the SWL Integrated Care Board (ICB), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and Merton Local Authority. The Merton Immunisation Committee and Action Plan, with its aims to increase overall uptake and reduce inequalities, was also on the agenda. Changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule from 1 January 2026, including new appointments and the addition of the MMRV vaccine, were to be detailed. The report pack included comparative data on Merton's immunisation coverage for MMR 1 and MMR 2 against other London Boroughs, as well as trends for preschool and school-age vaccinations. Actions to improve immunisation uptake in Merton were to be discussed, including the role of community pharmacies, outreach and engagement efforts, and the function of immunisation coordinators.

Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2024/2025

The panel was scheduled to discuss Merton's Corporate Parenting Annual Report for 2024/2025. This report provides an overview of Merton's Children's Services' performance in meeting the needs of children in care and care-experienced young people. Key highlights from the report were expected to include the stable number of children in care, which remains below London and national averages, and a strong focus on permanence with over half of children in care subject to Full Care Orders. Placement stability was reported to have improved significantly, with a high percentage of children living with the same carer for at least two years. The report also detailed performance in health assessments, engagement with care-experienced young people, and outcomes in education, employment, and training. The Corporate Parenting Board's role in overseeing the Council's commitment to corporate parenting principles was also to be discussed.

Education Standards Report - Celebrating Success

The panel was set to review the Education Standards Report for the academic year 2024-2025, highlighting how the Local Authority has partnered with schools to maintain and improve educational standards. The report indicated that 100% of Merton pupils attended schools judged as good or outstanding, with a significant proportion of secondary schools rated as outstanding. It also detailed performance across various key stages, including the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, Key Stage 2 attainment in reading, writing, and mathematics, and Key Stage 4 performance measures such as Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. The report also covered post-16 qualifications, the proportion of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET), and participation in education and training. Inclusion metrics, including attendance, exclusions, elective home education, and children missing education, were also scheduled for discussion.

Departmental Update

A departmental update was scheduled to provide the panel with information on key developments within the Children, Lifelong Learning and Families (CLLF) Department not covered elsewhere on the agenda. This update was expected to include information on school inspections and admissions, the Ask the Director initiative aimed at enhancing communication and learning, and an update on the SEND Strategy, Safety Valve Programme, and Special School Provision. The report was also to cover progress on Help and Family Assessment audits, initiatives related to child poverty, and an update on the Healthier Catering Commitment programme.

Performance Monitoring

The panel was scheduled to review a basket of key performance indicators across the Children, Lifelong Learning and Families department. This would allow members to monitor performance against targets and benchmarks, with a RAG rating (Red, Amber, Green) indicating areas of concern or good performance. Key areas for monitoring included children achieving through education, with an emphasis on school attendance, support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), risks outside the home such as missing children, and children at risk of harm or in care. Specific metrics for the timeliness of EHCP plans and the rate of child protection plans were to be presented.

Work Programme

The panel was scheduled to review and discuss its work programme for the upcoming year. This would involve considering potential topics for future scrutiny, ensuring the panel's work aligns with key council priorities and addresses areas of significant public interest. Suggestions for future topics were to be considered, with a focus on reviewing the effectiveness of services and identifying areas for improvement.