The Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-committee met to discuss corporate parenting reports, a family services quarterly update, task and finish group updates, and the cabinet forward plan. The committee noted the corporate parenting reports, which included updates on the Children in Care Council, fostering services, and the Independent Reviewing Service. Members also discussed the family services quarterly update and the task and finish group updates, and they identified the kinship policy for pre-decision scrutiny.

Corporate Parenting

The committee reviewed three annual reports related to corporate parenting: the Children in Care Council (known as Barnet on Point, or BOP), fostering, and the Independent Reviewing Service.

Children in Care Council (BOP)

The BOP report (Appendix A - BOP Annual Report 11062025.pdf) highlighted the council's commitment to youth participation and detailed various activities undertaken by BOP, including social events, video production, and participation in consultations. Liz Shaw, Practice and Learning Manager, and Laura Cope, Participation Officer, presented the report, emphasising BOP's role in shaping policy and service delivery.

Councillor Anne Hutton asked how the council identifies young people to be involved in BOP and encourages wider participation. Laura Cope explained that it takes a lot of time and a lot of hard work, building relationships with carers and residential staff to encourage engagement. Liz Shaw added that all children in care are automatically considered members of BOP, with the focus on encouraging active participation.

Councillor Lucy Wakeley praised the range of activities offered and the level of children's engagement. Councillor David Longstaff inquired about the involvement of Live Unlimited, an organisation that helps young people achieve their goals. The director of children's services clarified that Live Unlimited is still active and will be featured in the upcoming Children Care and Leaving Care report.

Fostering Service

The fostering annual report (Appendix B Fostering Annual Report.pdf) provided an overview of the fostering service's work, recruitment efforts, and support for foster carers. The report highlighted the national shortage of foster carers and Barnet's strategies to address this, including face-to-face outreach and social media campaigns.

Councillor Wakeley asked about the effectiveness of social media advertising. The director explained that paid social media helps expand awareness and direct people to the council's webpage, but the most valuable engagement comes from direct conversations with the fostering team.

Councillor Giulia Innocenti raised concerns about the number of resignations among foster carers. The director explained that resignations were mainly due to retirement or carers not meeting required standards, and that a task and finish group would look into this further.

Councillor Raisel Freedman asked about the support for foster carers from different faith communities. The director confirmed that the council has foster carers from the Jewish community and works to recruit more. When a match isn't possible, foster carers receive training on the cultural needs of the child.

Councillor Tony Vourou inquired about foster carer pay and allowances. The director stated that foster carers receive a weekly allowance of about £850, including fees and additional allowances for holidays and festivals.

Independent Reviewing Service

The Independent Reviewing Service report (Appendix C - IRO Annual report.pdf) provided an overview of the service's work in monitoring care plans and ensuring children's needs are met. The report highlighted the importance of independent oversight and advocacy for children in care.

Family Services Quarterly Update

The committee received a quarterly update on family services, including performance data and updates on Ofsted engagement. Chris Spencer, Interim Executive Director for Children's Services, presented the report, and Councillor Longstaff raised concerns about the accuracy of data related to 17-year-olds in employment, education, and training. The director acknowledged the issue and explained that the data is limited due to system constraints.

Councillor Giulia Monasterio asked about efforts to improve education, employment, and training outcomes for care leavers. The director outlined various initiatives, including a partnership with Drive Forward¹ and efforts to address housing challenges.

Councillor Hutton asked about deaths that had occurred, and the director clarified that these occurred outside the reporting period.

Chris Spencer was praised by Councillor Tony Vourou and Nigel Wildish for the consistently good level of service provided to children.

Task and Finish Group Updates

The committee received an update on the progress of various task and finish groups, including those focused on elective home education, youth homelessness, the Barnet Highway Network, discharge to assess, primary care access, allotment management and governance, and food security.

Councillor Hutton requested a report on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at the next meeting in September, including a breakdown of faith data. It was clarified that the SEND report would be presented in January instead, but that the request would be taken on board.

Cabinet Forward Plan

The committee reviewed the cabinet forward plan and identified the kinship policy for pre-decision scrutiny.

Other Business

Councillor Hutton raised the issue of education, employment and training, and asked how it would be taken forward. It was agreed that it would be a report.

Task and Finish Group for Fostering

Councillor Tony Vourou opened the floor for volunteers to join the task and finish group for fostering. Councillor Tony Vourou, Tamzin Arora, Nigel Wildish, and Councillor Anne Hutton all volunteered to join the group.

SEND Faith Data

Councillor Raisel Freedman requested that the report on SEND include faith data. Councillor Tony Vourou asked that it include other faiths, not just Jewish. Chris Spencer said that it would be difficult to capture the faith element, and that it would be better to do it by schools.

Conclusion

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Chris Spencer for his dedication to Barnet.