The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee discussed the proposed closure of Paradise Park Children's Centre, the current provision of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), the Youth Safety Strategy, and reviewed the council's quarter three performance report. The committee also agreed to focus its scrutiny review for the upcoming year on looked-after children, with a particular emphasis on fostering.

Paradise Park Children's Centre Referral

Councillor Jara Falkenburg referred the proposed closure of Paradise Park Children's Centre to the committee, citing significant local impact and urgency. Councillor Sheila Chapman, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Families, explained that the decision to cease nursery provision was made by IPA, the independent third-sector charity provider, due to financial non-viability. Councillor Chapman outlined three options being considered to support affected families: moving to alternative provision, providing temporary emergency transition care at the Paradise Park site, or increasing places at other council nurseries. She stated that there was sufficient childcare provision across Islington, though parental preference for specific settings was acknowledged. The committee heard from parents who expressed concerns about transparency and accountability, and the timing of the communication regarding the closure. The committee agreed to request written updates from Councillor Chapman and to review how the situation arose.

CAMHS in Islington

Chris Halliwell, Head of Startwell, and Daryl, Joint Head of Islington Community CAMHS, presented a report on CAMHS services in Islington. They highlighted significant increases in demand and complexity of need for children and young people with additional needs, mirroring national trends. The report detailed achievements in reducing wait times for core CAMHS therapy, with the longest waits reduced from 12-15 months to 10 months, and further improvements noted. However, long waits for neurodevelopmental assessments, particularly for those over five, remain a challenge, with 726 children waiting over two years for assessment. Initiatives to address this include a ND sprint which assessed 170 CYP and completed 283 assessments in two weeks, and monthly psychoeducation workshops for parents and carers. The committee discussed the challenges of capacity, the needs-led approach, and the importance of integrated services.

Youth Safety Strategy

Councillor Sheila Chapman introduced the Islington Youth Safety Strategy 2025-2030, which adopts a public health approach to youth safety. The strategy focuses on four key areas: identifying those at risk and preventing harm; engaging and supporting children, young people, families, and communities; protecting and diverting those at risk from harmful behaviour; and using targeted disruption and enforcement against persistent offenders. The strategy was developed through extensive consultation with young people, parents, and professionals, with knife crime, gangs, and drug dealing identified as major concerns. The report highlighted the disproportionate impact of youth violence on Black young men and White young men from deprived backgrounds, as well as concerns for young women and girls regarding sexual exploitation and violence. The committee discussed the balance between preventative measures and enforcement, the role of CCTV, and the importance of safe spaces and trusted relationships.

Quarter Three Performance Report

The committee reviewed the Quarter Three 2025/26 performance report for Children and Young People. Key areas of discussion included:

• Resilient Children and Families: An increase in children's social care contacts was noted, with domestic violence and child mental health being the most common reasons for contact. While the percentage of re-referrals to Children's Social Care within 12 months has decreased, the rate for White British children remains higher than the average. The number of children subject to a Child Protection Plan has increased, but the percentage of repeat plans is below target. The number of Looked After Children has decreased.
• Lifelong Learning, Skills and Enrichment: The percentage of good and outstanding early years settings remains high. Take-up of 2-year-old free early education places by eligible families is stable. However, suspension rates in both primary and secondary schools, particularly for pupils with SEND and those from Mixed White & Black Caribbean backgrounds, remain above Inner London averages. Persistent absence rates in both primary and secondary schools are also a concern and above Inner London averages. Surplus school places in both primary and secondary schools are decreasing. The percentage of 16 and 17-year-olds NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) has increased.
• Care, Support and Safeguarding: The percentage of young people aged 10-17 diverted from the criminal justice system has fallen below the target. The number of first-time entrants into the Youth Justice System has slightly increased, and the repeat young offender rate is in line with the previous year. The number of custodial sentences for young offenders has increased. The number of reported domestic abuse offences has also increased.
• Progressing Well to Adulthood, Independent and Fulfilled Lives: The percentage of care leavers aged 19-21 in Education, Employment or Training has decreased slightly but remains above London and England averages. Referrals to Tier 3 of the Islington Young People's Drug and Alcohol Service (IYPDAS) have decreased, attributed to recruitment gaps, while Tier 2 referrals have increased.

Scrutiny Topic and Draft Work Programme

The committee discussed potential topics for their deep-dive scrutiny review for the 2026-27 year. After considerable discussion, members agreed to focus on looked-after children, with a particular emphasis on fostering. This topic was seen as having sufficient scope to allow for a meaningful review, with potential areas of focus including recruitment and retention of foster carers, the stability of placements, costs, transitions to adulthood, and support for young people in residential care. The committee also noted the draft work programme for the upcoming year, which includes items such as SEND reform, updates on previous scrutiny reviews, and various performance reports.