The Thriving Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel of Enfield Council met on Tuesday 22 September 2026 to discuss the annual report of the Enfield Safeguarding Children's Partnership and an update on the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Services. The panel was also scheduled to review the council's work programme for the upcoming year.

Enfield Safeguarding Children's Partnership Annual Report 2025/26

The panel was scheduled to receive the annual report from the Enfield Safeguarding Children's Partnership (ESCP) for the period April 2025 to March 2026. This report, authored by Matthew Fisher, Interim Children's Safeguarding Partnership Manager, outlines the partnership's progress, achievements, challenges, and future priorities.

Key considerations for the panel included the report's findings on safeguarding demand, which indicated a reduction in the need for statutory intervention and fewer children requiring Child Protection Plans. The report also highlighted challenges such as improving training attendance, enhancing data analysis, and managing the impact of changes within the NHS. The partnership's total expenditure for the year was £119,895.

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

The report also touched upon the safeguarding event held for voluntary and community settings, which aimed to strengthen safeguarding awareness and partnership working. Quality assurance activities, including multi-agency audits and independent scrutiny by Geraldine Gavin, were also detailed.

Performance data indicated a sustained downward trend in safeguarding demand, with a reduction in MASH contacts and Section 47 enquiries. The number of children subject to statutory plans, including Child Protection Plans and Child in Need plans, had also decreased. The report noted that these reductions had not resulted in increased care entry, suggesting effective risk management. Performance in completing Child and Family assessments within 45 working days remained strong.

The report also provided an overview of Child Death Reviews, noting that in 2025-26, 33 child deaths were reviewed in Enfield. Thematic panels on Serious Youth Violence and child deaths by suicide identified modifiable contributory factors and learning themes.

Workforce development and training were also a focus, with 29 training events delivered to 277 attendees, covering a range of safeguarding topics. The report highlighted positive feedback on the training's impact on professional confidence and its contribution to multi-agency learning.

The financial overview detailed contributions from partner agencies, including Enfield Council, the NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB), the Metropolitan Police Service, and others, totalling £118,390.

Partner updates from the Police, Health, and Children's Social Care were also included. The Police highlighted work on Operation Encompass and the refurbishment of Video Recorded Interview suites. Health provided an update on the merger of NHS North West London and North Central London ICBs and its potential impact on safeguarding roles. Children's Social Care reported on the strengthening of prevention and early intervention services, the opening of new children's homes, and investment in the children's workforce.

Future priorities for the Partnership in 2026-2027 were outlined, including a focus on neglect, harm outside the home, protecting vulnerable babies, and addressing anti-racism and disproportionality.

Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Services

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

Family Hubs are presented as central to the Government's Best Start for Life vision, building on children's centres to provide integrated support for families from pregnancy to age 19 (or 25 for young people with SEND). The report highlights that Family Hubs are a fundamental part of the Families First Partnership Programme and Enfield's children's social care reform, aiming to identify needs earlier, strengthen family resilience, and prevent escalation into statutory intervention.

Enfield secured £5.85 million between 2022 and 2026 for Family Hubs and the Healthy Babies Programme, with a further £6.596 million allocated for 2026-2029. This funding has supported a borough-wide network of five Family Hubs, outreach services, partner venues, and digital access routes. The report details the digital offer, including Family Hubs webpages, Best Start in Life webpages, a Parenting Directory, and an Early Help Directory, which have seen significant online engagement.

Management information for Family Hubs shows sustained growth in universal access, targeted outreach, and co-located specialist support. The report highlights key numbers for individual contacts, registrations, and attendance at services such as Health Visiting, Stay and Play, and Speech and Language therapy. Case studies illustrated the impact of Family Hub Navigators and parenting programmes.

Partnership and system integration are managed through the Early Help Strategic Board and Best Start in Life governance. Key progress updates since December 2025 include the publication of Enfield's Best Start in Life Local Plan 2026-2030 and the submission of the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme Delivery Plan 2026-2029. An Outreach Strategy and Plan is also being developed to increase engagement with disadvantaged and underserved families.

Updates were also provided on the commissioning of Perinatal, Infant-Parent Relationship, and Infant Feeding Services, with significant progress reported in improving infant feeding outcomes. The Healthy Start Campaign has also seen increased uptake.

The report details progress in Infant-Parent Relationship and Perinatal Mental Health support, with tables showing service user numbers and positive feedback from social care practitioners. Early Language and Home Learning Environment initiatives have also seen success, with investment in new Home Learning Environment Practitioner roles.

A dedicated Best Start SEND Inclusion Offer for children aged 0-5 is being introduced, supported by a new team of Best Start Inclusion Practitioners. Enfield has also received funding for the Foundations Partner Places programme to support evidence-based parenting for families of children with SEND.

Parent support is a core part of the offer, with various accredited parenting programmes delivered. Case studies demonstrated the positive impact of these programmes. Financial resilience and employment support within Family Hubs aims to address pressures affecting child wellbeing. Parent voice and co-design are central to the model, with a Parent/Carer Panel contributing to service development.

The 2025/26 Family Hubs survey indicated high levels of satisfaction and positive impact for both parents and children. Key priorities for 2026/27 include the implementation of the Best Start in Life Local Plan, the mobilisation of the SEND offer, strengthening outreach, and improving performance and impact reporting.

Work Programme 2026/27

The panel was also scheduled 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, Family Hubs Better Start in Life Delivery, SEND Reform, Falling School Rolls, and the Youth Strategy Consultation.

The meeting was scheduled to conclude with noting the dates of future meetings: Tuesday 24 November 2026, Monday 25 January 2027, and Monday 8 March 2027.