The Children, Education and Families Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee met on 18 June 2025, and among the topics discussed were the appointment of co-opted members, the 2024/25 Q4 update and 2025/26 refreshed plan for the Children, Education and Families Portfolio, and the Education Planned Maintenance Programme for 2025/26. The committee also reviewed contract extensions for the Bromley Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service and the Short Breaks Framework, and received an annual update on Early Intervention and Family Support.

Appointment of Co-opted Members

The committee approved the following appointments:

• Shamilah Martin, Special Schools Representative, as Parent Governor Representative with voting rights.
• Reverend Roger Bristow, Church of England Representative, as Church Representative with voting rights.
• Matthew Baccarini and Hope Burbridge, Bromley Youth Council Representatives, and Ms Rosie White, Early Years Representative, as Co-opted Members without voting rights.

The report noted that there was a vacancy for the representative for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark Commission for Schools and Colleges, as well as vacancies for Parent Governor Representatives for Primary and Secondary Schools.

Children, Education and Families Portfolio Plan

The committee reviewed the Children, Education and Families Portfolio Plan for the fourth quarter of 2024/25 and the refreshed plan for 2025/26. The plan focuses on five priority outcomes: safeguarding; affordable, decent and secure homes; life chances, resilience and wellbeing; supporting and challenging effective multi-agency working; and ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.

Education Planned Maintenance Programme 2025/26

The committee was informed of Bromley's allocation of £376,811 from the Department for Education (DfE) for the School Condition Allocation (SCA) to support capital maintenance at community and foundation maintained schools. The funding will be distributed as follows:

• Former Marjorie McClure site - thermal insulation: £100,000
• Poverest Primary School - heating distribution: £86,000
• Riverside Beckenham - structural works: £75,000
• Consultant fees: £40,000
• Capitalised Staffing costs: £45,000
• Contingency: £26,000
• Legal costs: £5,000

The committee delegated authority to the Director of Education to make changes to the programme and noted that capital maintenance works would normally be procured through open procurement.

Contract Extension: Short Breaks Framework

The committee discussed and approved the extension of the Short Breaks Framework, which provides activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and respite for their parents and carers. The framework was extended for two additional one-year periods, commencing 24 July 2025, at an estimated value of £144,000 per year. The providers under this framework are Bromley Children and Families Forum (BCFF), Family Link, and Sportworks.

Contract Extension: Bromley Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service (MHEWS)

The committee approved the formal two-year extension for the Bromley Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service (MHEWS), with Bromley Y, for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028, at an estimated annual value of £904,000. The service provides community-based mental health and emotional wellbeing support for children and young people aged 0-18 (up to 25 with EHCP/SEND¹).

Early Intervention and Family Support Annual Update

The committee received an annual update on the work of Early Intervention and Family Support (EIFS) services, which include Children and Family Centres, the Bromley Children Project Family Support and Parenting Practitioner Team, and the Information Advice and Support Service (IASS). The report highlighted the services' work with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, asylum seekers, and children with SEND.

Children, Education and Families Risk Register

The committee reviewed the Children, Education and Families Risk Register, which outlines the high-level departmental risks and the actions taken to control them. The risks included failure to deliver the Children's Services Financial Strategy, failure to deliver effective children's services, recruitment and retention, business interruption/emergency planning, school place planning, SEND transport, SEND reforms, youth offending, out-of-borough placements, speech and language therapy, and school attendance.

Performance Reporting - Children's Scrutiny Dataset

The committee reviewed the performance of services for children based on a set of key performance indicators. Several indicators were performing below expectation, including the number of in-house foster households recruited and the stability of placements for children looked after.

Contracts Register

The committee considered the Contracts Register for the Children, Education and Families Portfolio, noting that there were 41 active contracts with a value of £50,000 or more.