The Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission of Hackney Council met on Monday 15 June 2026 to discuss childhood immunisations, support for young parents, and review the council's scrutiny procedures. Key decisions included a commitment to further scrutinise childhood immunisation rates and efforts to address inequalities, alongside noting the Cabinet's response to recommendations regarding the Enhanced Health Visiting Service for young parents.

Childhood Immunisations in Hackney

The Commission reviewed the critical issue of childhood immunisation coverage in Hackney, which remains among the lowest in England. Recent outbreaks of measles in Enfield and Hackney in 2026, and meningitis in Kent and Oxfordshire in 2026, have heightened concerns. The meeting aimed to gain assurance on the effectiveness of local surveillance systems and vaccination programmes, as well as local efforts to tackle inequalities in vaccination uptake.

Representatives from City & Hackney Public Health, City & Hackney Primary Care, NHS North East London Integrated Care Board, Vaccination UK, and NHS England were present to provide information. The discussion highlighted that Hackney's average childhood immunisation coverage across 12-month, 24-month, and 5-year cohorts was approximately 72% in 2024/25, significantly lower than the London average of 80% and the England average of 90%. The report indicated that while the rate of decline has slowed for some programmes, Hackney remains vulnerable to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.

Specific concerns were raised about the disproportionate impact of the 2025 measles outbreak on the Charedi Jewish community in North Hackney. The report detailed the multi-agency response to this outbreak, which involved delivering vaccination clinics and administering thousands of doses. However, a significant risk identified was the absence of a sustained funding pipeline for the Enhanced Immunisation Service in North East Hackney, which has relied on non-recurrent funding.

The Commission was informed about the City and Hackney Immunisation Strategic Action Plan (2024-27), which aims to increase coverage and address inequalities through community engagement, data enhancement, and service optimisation. Despite challenges, including restructuring within the NHS North East London Integrated Care Board and delays in the delegation of commissioning arrangements from NHS England, progress has been made. The report noted that over 50% of the plan's objectives have been achieved, and lessons learned are being shared through various local and regional forums.

Support for Young Parents

The Commission reviewed the Cabinet's response to its recommendations concerning the Enhanced Health Visiting Service (EHVS) and support for young parents. The EHVS was introduced to provide intensive support for vulnerable families with complex needs, replacing the Family Nurse Partnership programme.

The Cabinet's response indicated that a service review was underway, including an evaluation of the intensive service, a benchmarking exercise, service user engagement, and stakeholder consultation. This review aimed to clarify the service's gap, the skills of its workforce, and its distinctiveness from other local support services. The response highlighted that eligibility for the EHVS is determined by the Rainbow Criteria, which identifies high-risk needs across areas such as mental health, social care involvement, and domestic abuse. Parents and carers under 25, or those with previous care experience under 25, are automatically eligible.

Improvements in data collection and performance reporting were noted, with a performance improvement plan developed with the provider. The response also detailed efforts to address inequalities, including specific outreach to young parents and Black and global majority families, and training on anti-racist and trauma-informed practice. A comprehensive engagement strategy is being developed to increase face-to-face contact and improve uptake, with flexible delivery options and alternative venues being explored. The benchmarking exercise confirmed that the EHVS aligns with established evidence bases for early intervention and intensive family support.

Overview of Scrutiny Business and Procedure Rules

The Commission noted the business and procedure rules for the Overview & Scrutiny Commission and Scrutiny Panel, as set out in the Hackney Council Constitution. These rules govern the function of scrutiny within the council, including holding the Elected Mayor and Cabinet to account, reviewing policies, and contributing to service improvement. The Commission also confirmed the appointment of Councillor Pascale Fraser-Carroll as Chair and Councillor Aaron Briddon as Vice Chair for the municipal year 2026-27.

Work Programme

The Commission discussed the development of its work programme for 2026-27. A public engagement survey was live, and consultations were being held with stakeholders, including young people's forums, Cabinet members, senior officers, and partner organisations. Topics suggested for scrutiny would be collated for discussion and agreement at the September 9th, 2026 meeting. Two items were agreed for active scrutiny at the upcoming meeting on 8th July 2026: an update on the Child Safeguarding Practice Review of Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, and the Childhood Immunisations in Hackney item. The Commission also reviewed its work programme for 2025/2026 and noted the actions and follow-ups from previous meetings.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The draft minutes of the previous Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 16 March 2026 were noted and agreed. These minutes covered discussions on the Ofsted Area SEND Inspection, Cabinet Q&A sessions with Deputy Mayor Bramble and Councillor Sizer, and updates on Behaviour Management & School Inclusion, Support for Young Parents, Child Safeguarding Practice Review of Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, Improving outcomes for Black Children & Young People, Housing Support for Families of Children with SEND, and the Work Programme.