The Children and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee met to discuss the successes, priorities, and challenges for the 2026-2027 municipal year within the Children's Services directorate. Key discussions included the significant risks facing children's services, the reasons behind Tower Hamlets' strong social care outcomes despite high child poverty rates, and concerns regarding the use of vapes by young people. The committee also reviewed national reforms impacting SEND and social care, and the progress made in delivering Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs).

Successes, Priorities, and Challenges for 2026-2027

The committee received a presentation outlining the successes, priorities, and challenges for the Children's Services directorate in the upcoming municipal year. Corporate Director Steve Reddy and Cabinet Member Councillor Faisal Ahmed, Lead Member for Children's Services, presented the report.

Key Successes Highlighted:

• Outstanding Inspections: The directorate had received positive outcomes from recent inspections, including an outstanding rating from the ILACS inspection and positive feedback from a Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI).
• Performance Metrics: 13 key performance indicators (KPIs) were reported as green, with one KPI for care leavers into employment and training being amber, though still above London and national averages.
• Staff Satisfaction: Staff survey figures indicated positive feedback, and sickness absence had reduced.
• Service Delivery: The launch of the youth service, a good uptake of the university bursary and education maintenance allowance, the rollout of family hubs, and successful free school meals initiatives were noted. The community language service had also launched with approximately 450 learners.
• Early Help and Prevention: A significant factor in achieving good social care outcomes, even with high child poverty rates, was the council's investment in early help and prevention services, particularly through family hubs.

Priorities and Challenges for 2026-27:

• National Reforms: Significant national reforms are underway, including SEND reform, the Families First social care reform, and youth justice reform. These reforms aim to increase prevention, early intervention, and regional working.
• SEND Provision: The provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) remains a key focus, with ongoing work to support children in mainstream education and improve the timeliness of Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• School Place Planning: Managing school place planning is crucial, especially in light of falling birth rates which have led to school closures in other areas.
• Foster Care Recruitment: Recruiting foster carers is a priority for the directorate.
• Equity and Anti-Racism: A strong focus within the directorate is on equity and challenging anti-racism.
• Risks: Significant risks identified include the impact of ongoing changes within children's services, child mental health, children's access to vapes, youth violence, and online harm. The committee was assured that regular inspections provided a level of assurance that risks were being managed.

Discussion on Vaping and Substance Misuse:

Councillor Victoria Lupton raised concerns about young people vaping in and around schools. Steve Reddy acknowledged this as a significant issue, noting that while vaping might be presented as a safer alternative to smoking, it is detrimental for those who do not smoke. He highlighted the role of public health teams, schools, trading standards, and the police in addressing the problem. The committee discussed the potential for bringing a briefing report on the extent of vaping and substance misuse among young people to a future meeting.

Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs):

Councillor Mohammed Hasan Mahmud inquired about improvements to EHCPs, noting an investment of nearly £2 million in SEND services the previous year. Steve Reddy reported that while the timeliness of EHCP assessments had improved to over 60% within the 20-week target, there was still room for improvement. He explained that the increasing number of EHCP applications was partly due to parents seeking support that they felt was not being adequately provided through SEN support. The SEND reforms are expected to influence this area, with a focus on supporting children with lower-level needs through SEN support rather than requiring an EHCP.

National Reforms and Their Impact:

Steve Reddy elaborated on the significant national reforms, including SEND reform and the Families First social care reform. He explained that these government-mandated changes require local authorities to produce and implement plans, with regular monitoring from the Department for Education (DfE). While some aspects of the reforms align with existing practices in Tower Hamlets, such as family group conferencing, other elements, like regional working for fostering recruitment and commissioning of children's homes, represent new approaches. The pace of these changes was noted as a challenge, with a commitment to ensure they are implemented at a pace that suits Tower Hamlets' children, families, and staff.

The committee noted the terms of reference, membership, and meeting dates for the 2026-27 municipal year. The next meeting of the Children and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee was scheduled for 14 September 2026.