The Children's Services Scrutiny Panel of Ealing Council met on Tuesday 07 July 2026 to discuss the operational framework for the upcoming year, alongside updates on key programmes aimed at improving outcomes for children and families. Discussions were scheduled to cover the Families First Partnership Programme and the Best Start in Life initiative, with a focus on their progress, impact, and future implementation.

Panel Operations 2026-2027

The panel was scheduled to consider its Terms of Reference and outline Work Programme for the 2026-2027 municipal year. This included noting the Framework for the Nomination, Appointment and Retention of Non-voting Advisory Members. The panel was also scheduled to appoint statutory education representatives, including Mrs Shardé Hurd (parent governor representative), Mrs R Blake (Church of England representative), and Mrs M McCarthy (Catholic Diocese of Westminster representative). Additionally, Mr Ade Banjoko, Director of the Parents Action and Resource Centre (PARC), was proposed for co-option as a non-voting advisory member. The proposed work programme aimed to focus on two substantive items per meeting to enhance productivity.

Families First Partnership Programme Update

An update was scheduled on the Families First Partnership (FFP) Programme, a key component of national Children's Social Care reform. The programme aims to integrate Targeted Early Help, Child In Need, and Child Protection services into a single Family Help system to provide earlier, more consistent, and coordinated support for children and families. The report was expected to highlight positive early evidence from the Southall pilot, including improved decision-making and a reduction in unnecessary escalations to statutory intervention. The next phase of the programme was intended to focus on strengthening workforce and partnership readiness, managing risks, and ensuring safe and sustainable expansion with clear governance.

Best Start in Life Update

The panel was also scheduled to receive an update on the Best Start in Life (BSIL) Programme, a national and local priority focused on improving outcomes for children from birth to age five. The programme aims to enhance school readiness, reduce inequalities, and strengthen family support systems. Ealing's progress in line with Department for Education (DfE) milestones, including submitting its local plan and delivery plan, was to be discussed. Local data indicated a need for improvement in early years outcomes, particularly in achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD), with clear inequalities linked to deprivation and English as an additional language. The BSIL programme outlines a coordinated response through Family Hubs, targeted support, and evidence-based interventions.