The Safeguarding & Special Educational Needs Sub (Community & Children's Services) Committee met on Monday 15 June 2026 to review annual reports on key services, discuss performance data, and consider the implications of national SEND reforms. The meeting's agenda included updates on the Independent Reviewing Officer service, private fostering, looked after children, multi-agency child exploitation, and performance across children's and adult social care services.

Election of Deputy Chairman

The committee was scheduled to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 26(6).

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting, held on 2 March 2026, were scheduled for agreement.

Independent Reviewing Officer Annual Report 2025-26

A report from the Executive Director of Community & Children's Services was scheduled for information, providing an overview of the Independent Reviewing service for 2025-26. This report details the statutory requirements of the IRO service, the City of London's performance, and identifies strengths and areas for development for the upcoming year. The report highlights consistent participation of children in their review meetings and active monitoring of care plans. Areas for development include creating new ways to communicate with children and embedding anti-racism policies within the service.

Private Fostering Annual Report 2025-26

This report, also from the Executive Director of Community & Children's Services, was for information and outlined the City of London's compliance with its duties and functions regarding private fostering. The report noted that no private fostering arrangements were identified in the City of London between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. Awareness-raising activities continued through various channels, including updates to promotional materials and engagement with religious institutions.

Looked After Children and Care Experienced Young People Provider Annual Report 2025-26

This report, prepared by Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, was for information and detailed the delivery of health services to looked after children and care experienced young people in the City of London from April 2025 to March 2026. The report confirmed that health services were strong and meeting statutory requirements, with all required health assessments completed on time. Key areas for improvement identified included immunisation uptake, emotional wellbeing support, and gathering feedback from children and carers.

Multi-Agency Child Exploitation Annual Report 2025-26

The Executive Director of Community & Children's Services presented this report for information, detailing the activity of the Multi-Agency Child Exploitation (MACE) forum from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. The report outlined the intelligence picture being created, the impact on child safety, and learning for individuals and organisations. The MACE forum, co-chaired by the Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Service and the City of London Police, aims to coordinate information sharing and multi-agency interventions to protect children and young people from extra-familial harm. The report noted that while the volume of exploitation concerning City resident children is low, there is a significant number of young people from other local authority areas who come to notice due to exploitation within the City.

SEND Reforms and Local Area Consultation Response

This report, also from the Executive Director of Community & Children's Services, was for information and outlined the new Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) reforms and their implications for local services. It detailed the City of London's proposed response to the Department for Education (DfE) consultation, highlighting support for the reforms' direction while raising concerns about implementation capacity, workforce sufficiency, and the need for sustainable funding. The report emphasised the importance of a child and family-centred approach, clarity and consistency across the system, workforce capacity, and integrated multi-agency working.

Children and Families Service Scorecard Q4 2025-26

This report provided an update on service performance across the Children and Families Service for the fourth quarter of 2025-26. It demonstrated where performance met statutory obligations and targets, and identified actions taken for improvement. Overall performance was noted as good, meeting statutory requirements and local targets. Demand remained high but showed a gradual year-on-year decline.

Education and Early Years SEND Dashboard 2025-26

This report updated Members on performance across the Education and Early Years Service, specifically concerning Special Educational Needs (SEND), from Q1 to Q4 of 2025-26. Overall performance was described as good, meeting statutory requirements and local targets. The report noted a year-on-year increase in issued Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and an overall increase in the number of open SEND cases.

Adult Social Care Safeguarding Performance Report Q1-Q4 2025/26

This report provided Members with an update on safeguarding performance across the Adult Social Care Service for the period of Q1 to Q4 2025/26. Overall performance was reported as good, meeting statutory requirements and local targets. The report noted an increase in safeguarding concerns, particularly in self-neglect, which aligned with the national picture.

Adult Social Care Self-Evaluation Framework Update

This report presented progress on the Adult Social Care Self-Evaluation Framework (SEF), which was last completed in February 2025. The update focused on changes since February 2025, areas of performance improvement, and areas requiring further strengthening. The report indicated that core service strengths have been maintained, with notable improvement in the timeliness of annual reviews. However, it also highlighted increasing demand, rising safeguarding activity, and growing pressure on specific services like Occupational Therapy.

Children's Social Care and Family Help Service Development Plan 2026/27

This report detailed the Children's Social Care and Family Help Service Development Plan for 2026/27. It incorporated learning from various sources, including national research, practitioner views, Ofsted findings, and audit reports. The plan includes new actions alongside ongoing oversight of recommendations from previous inspections and national reforms. Key areas of focus include embedding new practice standards, developing family hub models, and addressing the impact of immigration legislation on care leavers.

Questions and Other Business

The agenda also included time for questions on matters relating to the work of the sub-committee and any other urgent business the Chairman considered appropriate.

The meeting also had a Part 2 agenda for non-public items, including non-public minutes and appendices, which were not detailed in the public reports.