The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Merton Council was scheduled to discuss a range of departmental updates and strategic plans. Key topics included the Children and Young People's Plan for 2024-2028, performance monitoring, school places planning, early years education and childcare provision, and sport and physical education in schools.

Departmental Update

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on key developments within the Children, Lifelong Learning and Families (CLLF) Department. This included information on the appointment of Beverley Hendricks as the new Executive Director for the department. A significant item was the presentation of the Merton Children and Young People's Plan for 2024-2028, developed through consultation with over 2,000 young people. The plan outlines six outcome areas: Being Healthy, Staying Safe, Enjoying and Achieving, Getting Involved, Having a Say, Supporting Futures, and My Merton. The update also covered Ofsted inspections of Merton schools, with Bishop Gilpin and Holy Trinity Primary Schools judged as outstanding, and Wimbledon Chase Primary School rated as good with outstanding sub-judgements. Changes to Ofsted's inspection framework following the 'Big Listen' exercise and the death of Ruth Perry were also noted. In secondary school admissions, retention rates have increased to nearly 87%. The report detailed progress on Family Hub transformation, including capital programme completion at Phipps Bridge Youth Centre and Newminster Children's Centre, and the publication of the Start for Life directory. The Department for Education (DfE) funding for the Family Hub Transformation Fund 1 (TF1) programme concludes on September 30th, 2024, with work continuing using the Supporting Families grant. The report also highlighted the reopening of Phipps Bridge Youth Centre after renovations and the successful delivery of the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme, with a particular focus on provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND). As of August 30th, 2024, Merton maintained 2,684 Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), with 81% of EHCNAs issued within the statutory 20-week timescale. Progress on the Safety Valve programme with the DfE was noted, and plans for Orchard Hill College Academy Trust (OHCAT) to open a satellite site at the Chaucer Centre from September 2025 were mentioned. The report also covered appointments within Children Social Care & Youth Inclusion, including David Michael and Rosemary Frimpong as Director of CSC&YI and Corporate Parenting respectively, and Rupal Jayaswal as Principal Social Worker. Ofsted's annual conversation with the service was positive, and the launch of the second and third Mockingbird Constellations, a model of fostering that creates a community network for foster households, was highlighted.

Performance Monitoring

The panel was scheduled to review the Children & Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel Performance Index for 2024/25, covering data up to July 31st, 2024. The report identified several indicators rated as amber or red. These included:

• Indicator 8/9b: The percentage of children subject to a Child Protection Plan who had a visit within timescales was amber at 89% against a target of 90%. The percentage of children subject to a Child Protection Plan for the second or subsequent time (ever) was red at 28%, exceeding the target of less than 20%.
• Indicator 14: The percentage of Looked After Children cases reviewed within required timescales was red at 92%, below the target of 96%.
• Indicator 17: The stability of placements for Looked After Children (aged under 16) was amber at 70%, just under the target of 71%.
• Indicator 29: The percentage of young people aged 16-17 not in education, employment, or training (NEET) was amber at 1.5% against a target of 1.2%.
• Indicator 33a: The percentage of care leavers (aged 19-21) in suitable accommodation was amber at 94% against a target of 95%.
• Indicator 33b: The percentage of care leavers (aged 19-21) not in education, employment, or training (NEET) and Unknown was red at 46% against a target of 32%.

The report also noted that data for Indicator 6, % of quorate attendance at CPP conferences, was not yet available due to system workflow amendments.

School Places Planning Strategy

The panel was scheduled to consider the Merton School Places Planning Strategy 2024-2029. The strategy highlights a significant fall in demand for primary school places, with projections indicating a surplus of 18.7% against net capacity and 14.6% against Reception year admission numbers by 2028/29. Actions taken to reduce surplus places include reducing published admission numbers (PANs) at several primary schools, resulting in a total reduction of 17 forms of entry. The strategy also addresses secondary school places, noting that while Year 7 rolls have plateaued, lower numbers flowing through primary schools are expected to lead to surplus places from 2025, requiring a reduction in overall secondary capacity. The report details a significant increase in demand for specialist provision for children with SEND, with EHCPs more than doubling since 2016. Expansion schemes for special schools are underway, including the planned opening of a new Special Free School by September 2027 and temporary provision at the Chaucer Centre from September 2025. The strategy outlines aims to ensure sufficient, good quality school places, and defines capacity measures. It also discusses the balance between choice and efficiency in surplus places and the basis of school roll projections.

Early Years Education and Childcare Provision in Merton

This report was scheduled to provide an update on Merton's sufficiency of early years education and childcare (0-5s) and the implementation of childcare reforms. Merton has sufficient childcare to meet current and predicted demand, although supply and demand can vary by ward. The number of childminders is declining nationally and locally, but more are registering to deliver funded early education. The report notes significant workforce recruitment and retention challenges in the sector. The childcare reforms, implemented in phases from April 2024 to September 2025, are expanding funded early education entitlements to more working parents. Phase 1 (April 2024) offered 15 hours for 2-year-olds, Phase 2 (September 2024) offers 15 hours for 9-month-olds, and Phase 3 (September 2025) will offer up to 30 hours for 9-month to 4-year-olds. The report highlights the increased DfE monitoring and reporting requirements associated with these reforms. It also mentions new government pledges regarding nursery classes, early learning goals, and Ofsted inspection judgments. The Early Years Advisory Service supports providers to achieve high quality and inclusive provision, with 12 settings previously rated less than 'Good' supported to achieve a 'Good' grade in 2023/24. The Early Years Inclusion and Ordinarily Available Service provides support for children with SEND, including monitoring the SEND Inclusion Fund and delivering training.

Sport and PE Provision for Pupils Attending Merton Schools

This report was scheduled to review the provision of Physical Education (PE) and sport in Merton schools. It noted that while the National Curriculum for PE is statutory for LA maintained schools, it is non-statutory for academies. The report highlighted the challenges posed by static Sports Premium funding since 2017, impacting schools' ability to enhance provision. The relationship between schools, the Merton Schools' Sports Partnership (MSSP), and the Borough of Sport team was to be explored, focusing on initiatives to promote physical activity both inside and outside school. The Merton Schools' Sports Partnership currently works with 43 primary and special schools, providing specialist tuition and competition experience. The report mentioned the Labour administration's commissioned Curriculum and Assessment Review, expected to lead to a new National Curriculum for all state-funded schools. The aims of the Sports Premium funding were outlined, including increasing staff confidence, engaging all pupils in physical activity, and offering a broader experience of sports. The Borough of Sport initiative aims to increase participation across all age groups and demographics, with a focus on children and older residents, and underserved groups. Projects to encourage activity include the Tim Henman Foundation Project for SEN schools, free swimming sessions, a partnership with London Broncos for free tickets and the H2O programme, and the London Youth Games. The Merton School Sport Partnership's vision is to inspire young people to achieve their best in PE, sport, and physical activity, with objectives covering PE curriculum, workforce development, physical activity, whole school ethos, range of activity, competitions, and swimming. Key outcomes from the MSSP's 2023-24 activities were to be presented, including high school participation in PE lessons, physical activity programmes, competitive events, and swimming proficiency. Appendix A details grants to community organisations from the Borough of Sport, and Appendix B outlines individual programmes provided by the MSSP.