The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee of Islington Council is scheduled to consider updates on the council's lifelong corporate parenting efforts, provisional school results, and a performance report for the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. The committee will also review its work programme for the upcoming year.

Lifelong Corporate Parenting Update

Discussion is expected to focus on the council's commitment to Lifelong Corporate Parenting, an initiative aimed at providing continuous, long-term support to care-experienced individuals. A report is scheduled to outline progress in areas such as securing housing, improving mental health support, strengthening employment pathways, and extending support beyond the age of 25 for care-experienced young people (CEYP). The report is expected to detail schemes like The House Project and Next Steps, which assist young people in preparing for and transitioning into independent living. It is also anticipated to highlight efforts to improve mental health support for CEYP, including the proposed introduction of Champions within mental health services. The Family Business Model, an employment initiative in partnership with local businesses, is also expected to be discussed, alongside progress on securing apprenticeships and work experience opportunities. Furthermore, the report is anticipated to cover the development of a post-25 offer for care-experienced adults and the implementation of the Lifelong Links programme, which aims to reconnect children and young people with supportive family members and friends. The PAUSE programme, offering intensive support to women who have experienced multiple child removals, and its impact on care leavers is also expected to be reviewed. The council's recognition as a Fostering Friendly Employer is also noted.

Headline and Provisional School Results

The committee is scheduled to review headline and provisional school results for the 2026 academic year. This is expected to include data on Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFSP) Good Level of Development (GLD), phonics outcomes at the end of Year 1, and Key Stage 2 results in reading, writing, and maths. Provisional GCSE results for Key Stage 4 are also expected to be presented, detailing performance in terms of grades achieved and comparisons with national and London averages. Additionally, provisional A-level results for Key Stage 5 are to be discussed, alongside performance in vocational and technical qualifications. The report is also expected to outline recommendations for the Islington Professional Partners (IPPs) and their continued integration of collaborative support for school leaders.

Quarter Four Performance Report

A comprehensive performance report for the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year is scheduled for discussion. This report is expected to cover key performance indicators (KPIs) related to Children and Young People, aligning with the council's Corporate Plan and the Islington Together 2030 Plan. The report is structured around the missions within the 2030 Plan and the directorate's objectives. Specific areas to be covered are expected to include:

• Resilient Children and Families: This section is expected to examine data on children's social care contacts, re-referrals, child protection plans, and placement stability for looked-after children. It is also expected to report on engagement rates at youth clubs and centres.
• Lifelong Learning, Skills and Enrichment: This part of the report is expected to focus on the quality of early years settings, take-up of free early education places for two-year-olds, and suspension and persistent absence rates in primary and secondary schools. It is also expected to address inequalities in these areas, particularly for pupils with SEND and specific ethnic groups, and report on the number of electively home-educated pupils.
• Care, Support and Safeguarding: This section is expected to present data on young people diverted from the criminal justice system, first-time entrants into the Youth Justice System, repeat young offenders, and the number of custodial sentences for young offenders. It is also expected to include data on domestic abuse offences.
• Progressing Well to Adulthood, Independent and Fulfilled Lives: This section is expected to cover referrals to the Islington Young People's Drug and Alcohol Service (IYPDAS) for Tier 2 and Tier 3 support.

Work Programme

The committee is scheduled to review its Work Programme for the 2026/27 academic year. This is expected to outline the topics scheduled for discussion at future meetings, including SEND reform, updates on previous scrutiny reviews, annual reports from the Islington Safeguarding Children Partnership and Child Protection services, and reports on youth services and school results.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Town Hall, Upper Street, London, N1 2UD.