The Thriving Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel is scheduled to consider the Enfield Safeguarding Children's Partnership Annual Report for 2025/26 and receive an update on the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Services. The panel will also review its work programme for the upcoming year.

Enfield Safeguarding Children's Partnership Annual Report 2025/26

The panel is scheduled to receive the annual report from the Enfield Safeguarding Children's Partnership (ESCP) for the period April 2025 to March 2026. This report, presented by Matthew Fisher, Interim Children's Safeguarding Partnership Manager, is intended to provide an overview of the partnership's progress, achievements, challenges, and future priorities. It will outline how various partners have collaborated to safeguard children, the impact of key safeguarding activities, and areas for future focus.

The report highlights that safeguarding demand and statutory intervention have continued to reduce, with fewer children requiring Child Protection Plans and no increase in care entry, suggesting earlier and more effective support for families. However, challenges remain in improving training attendance, enhancing data analysis and impact measurement, and managing the impact of NHS organisational changes. The total partnership expenditure for the year is noted as £119,895.

Key achievements detailed in the report include the completion of a mock Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) within the family environment, which produced recommendations for improvement. The report also covers the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR) concerning Child M, which identified learning around medical neglect, visibility, parental influence, professional curiosity, and Elective Home Education (EHE). The ESCP has also published new learning materials, including a CSA 7 Minute Briefing and Podcast, CSA Pathway Guidance, and an updated ESCP Escalation & Resolution Protocol.

The report also details the governance structure of the ESCP, which includes an Executive Group for strategic leadership, Activity Groups for practice improvement and quality assurance, and an Independent Scrutineer providing objective oversight. The report will also cover performance data, including a sustained downward trend in MASH contacts and Section 47 enquiries, and a decrease in children subject to statutory plans.

Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Services

The panel is also scheduled to receive an update on the delivery and impact of Enfield's Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme. This report, presented by Helen Finnemore, Head of Best Start Family Hubs and Babies Services, and Joseph Fitzgerald, Head of Prevention & Family Hubs, will cover progress against key priorities, service developments, partnership working, and future plans.

Family Hubs are described as central to the Government's Best Start for Life vision, building on the legacy of children's centres to provide an integrated system of support for families from pregnancy to age 19 (or 25 for young people with SEND). The report notes that between 2022 and 2026, Enfield secured £5.85m to support the development of Family Hubs and the Healthy Babies Programme, which has reshaped how families access help through a borough-wide network. For the period 2026–2029, an additional £6.596m has been allocated.

The report details the digital offer, which includes Family Hubs webpages, Best Start in Life webpages, a Parenting Directory, and an Early Help Directory, all designed to improve access to information, advice, and support. Management information indicates sustained growth across universal access, targeted outreach, and co-located specialist support within the Family Hubs network. Specific areas of focus include infant feeding services, with Enfield working towards UNICEF Stage 1 Baby Friendly standards, and a Healthy Start campaign that has increased uptake by 124%.

The report also highlights progress in infant-parent relationship and perinatal mental health support, with various services providing support to hundreds of parents and carers. Early language and home learning environment initiatives have also been detailed, including the use of the EasyPeasy app and training for Early Talk Boost. Furthermore, the report outlines the introduction of a dedicated Best Start SEND Inclusion Offer for children aged 0-5, aiming to strengthen early identification and intervention for children with SEND.

Work Programme 2026/27

The panel will also have the opportunity to note the Thriving Children & Young People Scrutiny Panel Work Programme for 2026/27. This document outlines the topics scheduled for discussion at future meetings, including the Safeguarding Children's Partnership Annual Report, SEND Reform Plan, and updates on falling school rolls.

The meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 22nd September 2026, at 7:00 pm in the Conference Room at the Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3XA.