The Children and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee met to discuss the progress of the council's early help offer, specifically focusing on the Family Hubs and Start for Life programmes. The committee also reviewed preparations for upcoming inspections of Children's Social Care and Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) services, receiving updates on the council's readiness and areas for improvement.

Early Help Offer: Family Hubs and Start for Life Programmes

The committee received a comprehensive update on the progress of the Family Hubs and Start for Life programmes, which aim to provide integrated support for families from conception to the age of two. Councillor Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning, highlighted the success of the four established Family Hubs across the borough, which offer a range of services including parenting support, mental health services, and early language development. These hubs are supported by a network of 12 additional spoke sites, ensuring accessibility, particularly in more deprived areas.

Mohammed Jolil, Head of Service for Early Help, detailed the extensive outreach efforts, including 43 outreach events and numerous online articles, to engage families. He noted that over 4,000 families attended the launch events and that 80 partners are involved in delivering services. The programme has trained 348 staff members in areas such as oral health and young carers' awareness. Usage of the Family Hubs has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with over 15,800 families accessing services in the last year. The report highlighted specific successes, such as identifying 97 expectant mothers who may benefit from perinatal mental health support and training 140 staff members to deliver parenting intervention programmes, reaching 773 families. The work has also garnered national recognition, with visits from government departments and international delegations.

Councillor Rebaka Sultana raised concerns about the accessibility of services in the middle of the borough and the targeting of hard to reach families. In response, it was explained that the spoke model is designed to cover deprived areas, with a goal of having a centre within pram distance for most families. Data from live births and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is used to identify and target vulnerable families. Plans are also underway to improve the council's website, including the development of a chatbot, to make information more user-friendly.

Concerns were also raised about the sustainability of funding, with approximately half of the funding coming from the local authority and public health, while the remainder relies on central government grants. The council is confident in its core offer, even if grant funding were to be withdrawn, due to staff training and the development of a sustainable model. The impact of the pandemic was also discussed, with a focus on addressing parental concerns about attending public spaces and supporting children's social and language development. The council also outlined its comprehensive approach to supporting perpetrators and victims of domestic abuse through the Positive Change Centre and the Repair model.

Inspection Preparation: Children's Social Care

Susannah Beasley-Murray, Director of Children's Social Care, provided an update on the council's preparedness for the upcoming Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS), also known as the Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS). Tower Hamlets is one of the last London authorities awaiting this inspection, which will be a two-week process. The inspection will focus on three key areas: the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection, the experiences and progress of children in care, and the progress of care leavers. Leadership and corporate parenting will also be a significant focus.

The council highlighted its strengths, including a clear vision focused on keeping children within their families where safe and appropriate, a dedicated workforce with manageable caseloads, and a supportive yet challenging culture. The Better Together practice framework, which prioritises relationships, and effective leadership were also cited as strengths. Areas for continued focus include strengthening responses to domestic violence, harm outside the home, and neglect, as well as enhancing partnership working and embedding cultural diversity. The transformation of Early Help into Family Hubs and the integration of a one front door approach for early help and safeguarding are also priorities.

The council has been actively preparing through monthly improvement boards, fortnightly Better Together meetings, weekly staff briefings, and a robust audit programme. Peer reviews and an annual engagement meeting with Ofsted have indicated positive progress, with no significant concerns raised. The council is particularly focused on the experiences of care leavers, with a new judgment introduced since the last inspection.

Councillor Rebaka Sultana raised questions regarding the regulation of commissioned services for 16 and 17-year-olds, and how the council is supporting care leavers into employment, education, and training (EET). It was confirmed that there has been a focus on ensuring supported living accommodation is Ofsted regulated, with a pragmatic approach taken for children in unregistered settings. The council is also working to increase apprenticeship and job opportunities for care leavers, with recent success in securing match funding for new posts.

Councillor Hasan Chowdhury inquired about safeguarding measures within partnership working, and the council affirmed its commitment through the Children's Safeguarding Board, which includes representation from senior health colleagues and the police. Concerns were also raised about neglect and sexual abuse cases, with the council detailing its neglect toolkit and training for staff on child sexual abuse allegations. The council stated that recorded numbers of child sexual abuse cases are relatively low compared to other local authorities.

SEND Inspection Preparation and Improvement Update

Lisa Fraser, Director of Education, and Dr. Tina Sode, Head of Special Educational Needs (SEND), presented an update on the SEND inspection preparation and the ongoing improvement programme. The inspection, expected by the end of 2025, will place significant emphasis on the experiences of children, young people, and parents, and will also include alternative provision. Recent inspections have shown a range of outcomes, with a significant proportion rated as inconsistent or having widespread and/or systematic failings. Key themes emerging from these inspections include the timeliness and quality of Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), long waiting times for health assessments, and a lack of multi-agency working.

Tower Hamlets has developed a SEND self-evaluation document and established a multi-agency inspection preparation group. The council highlighted progress made against its Written Statement of Action, including improvements in EHCP timeliness and reduced waiting times for autism assessments and speech and language therapy. The Let's Talk SEND events have seen increased parent engagement, and the council is focusing on developing its SEND and Inclusion Strategy, an inclusion framework, and a review of its high-needs funding.

Councillor Rebaka Sultana questioned the low number of parents involved in the SEND self-assessment and the data on school exclusions, particularly regarding exclusion rooms. It was clarified that the self-assessment involved various parent groups, and the exclusion data refers to published national figures, not internal school processes. The council acknowledged the ongoing challenge of EHCP timeliness, with a task and finish group being established to address increasing demand and explore additional resources.

The gender imbalance in EHCPs, with a significantly higher proportion of males, was noted, reflecting a national trend where girls may have undiagnosed needs. The council is also addressing the rising cost of transport for children and young people with SEND, implementing strategies for route planning efficiency and promoting travel training.

The council is committed to improving the quality of EHCPs, ensuring children's voices are heard, and streamlining the local offer to enhance co-production and communication with parents and carers. The high percentage of inclusive schools in Tower Hamlets, with a significant number of children with EHCPs integrated into mainstream settings, was highlighted as a key strength.