The Family Services Select Committee of Kensington and Chelsea Council met on Thursday 25 June 2026 to discuss the Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Plan and to review the committee's work programme. The committee received an update on the Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Plan, a joint initiative with the NHS Integrated Care Board, and discussed its effectiveness and future priorities. The committee agreed on several topics for their future work programme, including NEETs, social care reforms, youth provision, school attendance, and early interventions.

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Services

The committee received an update on the Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health (EWMH) Plan, a collaborative effort between Kensington and Chelsea Council, Westminster City Council, and the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB). Officers explained that the plan aims to enhance the council's support within schools, communities, and online spaces to improve access to services and assist vulnerable individuals, with a strong emphasis on early intervention.

Members questioned the evidence of improvement in children's mental health since the plan's implementation. Officers confirmed that while population-wide improvements couldn't be definitively stated, individual schemes were independently evaluated. For example, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) use assessment frameworks to track progress, and the online platform Kooth reported a 100% recommendation rate from users. Feedback from schools and parents is also gathered through standardised assessments.

Regarding the Kooth app, officers explained that while data is anonymised, registration and location tracking allow for monitoring user activity. They noted a 30% increase in new registrations following the We Got U, U Got This campaign, with 245 logins in Kensington in the last quarter.

The committee also inquired about goal-setting sessions with All Kind, a provider of mental health support. All Kind representatives stated that goals are developed using the SMART Framework, with input from young people and their parents. School attendance is a key metric for measuring impact and future prospects. Concerns were raised about young people's anxieties regarding employment, a topic that has become more frequent in Kensington and Chelsea youth clubs. All Kind agreed to collect and provide specific information on this issue.

Officers highlighted that school attendance is a crucial factor in preventing young people from becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). The council is strengthening its inclusion strategy and providing support to individuals identified as potential NEETs or those already in that category.

The effectiveness of online campaigns like 'We Got U, U Got This' is measured by website views and onward clicks to the council's website for support. The campaign's promotion via social media and flyers, using QR codes and links, allows for tracking reach, with a previous campaign reaching 27,562 individuals.

Clarification was sought on the overlapping terminology of mental health, mental wellbeing, and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Officers explained that some neurodiversity is classified as mental health, and children with SEND are more likely to experience poor mental health. The Be Kind to Your Mind programme, part of the NHS offer, provides additional mental health support in most special schools.

Concerns were raised about the lack of cost data in the report. Officers stated that most EWMH Plan programmes are NHS-funded, with the council providing partial funding for initiatives like Mental Health Youth Workers and All Child. A needs analysis is underway to assess the potential for additional investment in early intervention to reduce CAMHS demand. The Director of Operations, Programmes and Children with Disabilities was tasked with sharing the findings of this analysis with the Chair. The committee also requested that data and costs be included in future reports.

Regarding the expansion of the ICB from 8 to 13 boroughs, officers reiterated the focus on early intervention to prevent escalation and reduce long-term costs. The reduction in children admitted to Tier 4 inpatient mental health units was noted, and a breakdown for Kensington and Chelsea was requested, with officers stating their reliance on data from Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL).

The committee discussed the potential impact of social media restrictions for under-16s and whether the council should address any resulting gaps in children's leisure activities. The Lead Member suggested collaborating with schools on after-school activities and assisting parents with behaviour management. It was also noted that enforcing such restrictions could be challenging. A school survey indicated that 90% of children had received online safety education.

The committee agreed on the following recommendations: the consistent application of terminology and the inclusion of definitions for terms like emotional wellbeing and mental health in future papers.

Work Programme Report

The committee reviewed its work programme and discussed potential topics for future scrutiny. Members suggested conducting at least two site visits during the year and submitting reports on these visits. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are to be provided annually and quarterly. Past committee papers on children missing in education and care leavers are to be circulated. The committee agreed to conduct a deep dive into a chosen topic at the next meeting.

The following topics were agreed for the work programme:

• NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) and Adult Education
• Social Care Reforms, including Best Start and SEND reforms
• Youth provision, with a focus on sports
• School attendance
• Early interventions to prevent school exclusion

The meeting concluded at 7:45 pm.