The Children and Education Policy and Accountability Committee met to discuss the Summer in the City programme, co-production in children's services, and preparation for adulthood. The committee noted reports on all three topics, hearing presentations and asking questions of the officers present.

Summer in the City

The committee discussed the Summer in the City programme, which is the local implementation of the national Holiday Activity and Food Programme¹. Marcus Robinson, Strategic Commissioner, explained that the programme provides free holiday activities, enriching physical activities, nutritional education and free meals to vulnerable children over the school holidays. Natalie Glasby, Head of Programs at LMP Action, added that the programme spans six weeks and includes activities in schools, youth clubs, community centres, parks and public spaces across the borough.

The programme is open to all children, not just those eligible for free school meals, and in the previous year supported over 2,300 children, including over 175 with special educational needs, delivered over 16,000 hot meals, and provided over 50 family events.

The committee heard that the programme is co-produced with young people, who help to design and deliver some of the activities. This year's themes, developed with the youth board and youth council, are:

• Exploring the environment
• Levelling up
• Building connections
• Celebrating creativity
• Belonging everywhere

Ms Glasby noted that accessibility and special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision is a key focus, with new providers such as Let's Unite for Autism, and a booking system called Plinth that allows parents to search for activities based on their child's needs.

Councillor Mercy Umeh, Chair of Licensing Committee, praised the scheme, saying:

I'm having lived in the borough for a long time and having my children grown up at that time... We never had something like this, but with this, it's really a pleasure. And I'm really appreciative that our children have places to go during the holidays.

Nandini Ganesh, Co-operated Member, asked about the age ranges for the activities, and whether it would be made clear which activities are not available to those up to age 25. Ms Glasby confirmed that all specialist provision goes up to 25, and that the booking site makes the age ranges clear.

Ms Ganesh also suggested that Hammersmith and Fulham MENCAP should be specified as the local provider, to avoid confusion with the national organisation.

Marie Thomas, a resident, raised concerns about the marketing of the programme, particularly to parents with second languages, and those who are not aware of the family hubs. She also noted that as a member of a Tenants' Association, she does not receive any information about the programme.

Mr Robinson responded that marketing and diversity are important, and that the council uses a piece in the Leaders Magazine, banners, and works with providers who reach into a wide range of communities. He added that the website is translatable into 128 languages.

Councillor Alex Sanderson, Deputy Leader and Responsible for Children and Education, added that the offer is open access, and not limited to those eligible for free school meals.

Co-production in Children's Services

The committee then discussed a report on co-production in children's services. Jackie McShann, Executive Director of People and Director of Children's Services, said that children, young people and their families are seen, heard and valued in Hammersmith and Fulham, and that their participation is widespread, immersive, high profile and influential.

Sarah Sanderson, Operational Director of Children and Young People Services, gave examples of co-production, including workshops where young people meet with board members to influence the broader offer, and improvements to the joint housing protocol for care experienced young people based on their feedback. She also mentioned the foster carers representative group, HAWK, and the young inspectors programme, where young people inspect the quality of supported accommodation.

Peter Aylog, Director of Education and SIND, added that he had attended seven meetings in the last three days that involved some form of co-production, including a meeting at the Stephen Wiltshire Centre to look at mental health services, and meetings with unions and the youth council.

Ms McShann gave examples of outcomes of co-production, such as the Carers Young Care Leavers Hub, the transitions team, developments in foster care, and the early intervention strategy.

Nandini Ganesh, Co-operated Member, asked how outcomes are monitored, and whether co-production partners are informed of the outcomes achieved. Ms McShann responded that there are many ways, including one-to-one feedback, the SEND outcomes framework, and the development of family hubs.

Councillor Sanderson added that one young person had said that it was so good to know that what I said mattered, after their voice had made a transformational difference to other young people.

Councillor Genevieve Morbett, Deputy Whip, suggested that it would be helpful to highlight which recommendations from co-production are taken up, and why.

Ms Ganesh suggested that future reports include more detail on what was done with Parents Active and Partners in Change, and what could not be done.

Preparation for Adulthood in Hammersmith and Fulham

The committee then discussed a report and presentation on preparation for adulthood in Hammersmith and Fulham. Mr Aylog said that the key part of the plan is to strengthen the young person's voice in their own transition planning, and that based on co-production with families and children, there were three key areas to focus on: workforce, pathways and provision.

This led to the implementation of a transition team, the development of a pathway plan, and a focus on placement sufficiency within adult social care.

Mr Aylog highlighted the story of Monique Adorno, who went through the supported internship programme, which is designed for young people between 16 and 25 with an education, health and care plan². The programme requires four days of work experience and one day of learning in the classroom.

Ms Adorno had the opportunity to work in Hammersmith Library, retail scope, and Waterstone. She said that the programme had been a real success, and that she was very happy with her progress and qualifications.

Mr Aylog said that around 150 young people have now touched base with one of the services, and that they are making sure that those young people are getting the support they need.

Councillor Umeh said that she was happy to see that Ms Adorno had enjoyed her job placements, and had come out more confident.

Ms Ganesh said that she felt that parents had persuaded the council to set up the new transition team, and that this should be included in the co-production outcomes.

Councillor Aliya Afzal-Khan, Opposition Deputy Whip, asked for numbers on how many placements have been looked into, and how many people have been placed. Mr Aylog responded that the supported internship pathway is very much pupil led, and that they only want to put the right people onto the right pathways each year. He added that the transition team are working with approximately 150 people at the moment in terms of what their provisions and their placements will be.

Additional Items

At the end of the meeting, Jackie McShannon, Executive Director of People and Director of Children's Services, presented a short PowerPoint on some of the work that has happened in the people's services in the last few months. This included celebrating the 25th birthday of Parents Active, a visit from Minister Janet Davey to the Foster with West London event, foster care fortnight, and the installation of solar panels on the roof of Jack Tizard School.