The Safeguarding and Special Educational Needs Sub (Community & Children's Services) Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss safeguarding and social care services, with a particular focus on vulnerable adults, children, and families. The agenda included a range of reports providing updates on service performance, development plans, and quality assurance measures.

Safeguarding Adults Experiencing Homelessness

The committee was scheduled to note a report providing an overview of the work being done to safeguard adults with care and support needs who are experiencing rough sleeping or homelessness. The report highlighted the collaboration between Adult Social Care (ASC) and the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping (HRS) service.

ASC and the HRS service have developed structures, systems and practices designed to support closer working in managing risk and safeguarding adults who are homeless and who rough sleep.

The report noted that a social worker post within the HRS service has been in place since 2021, jointly funded with ASC. The HRS social worker undertakes the majority of assessments for adults who are homeless or rough sleeping. The ASC service provides long-term support to adults with care and support needs who have experienced homelessness and rough sleeping, with 20 adults in supported living placements and 10 in residential care. The report also detailed the operation of multi-agency risk panels and the Quality Assurance Framework in place across all ASC practice.

Housing Assistance Policy

The committee was scheduled to note a report on the Housing Assistance Policy (HAP), which aims to improve outcomes for residents by streamlining the process for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG). The DFG helps eligible older and disabled people to make changes to their home so they can access and use all essential facilities. The HAP includes the City Corporation contributing the first £12,000 towards any recommended works, without means testing the applicant. All adaptation recommendations must be assessed and approved by Occupational Therapy staff from the Adult Social Care (ASC) Service.

Adult Social Care Safeguarding Performance

The committee was scheduled to note a report updating members on safeguarding performance across the Adult Social Care Service during the year 2024/25. The report included a safeguarding performance dashboard for the year.

Families in the City Update

The committee was scheduled to note a report introducing the Families in the City programme, which is the response to national government reform and changes in delivery of services for 0–5-year-olds. The programme aims to establish a comprehensive, multi-agency service offer that meets the needs of all children and young people aged 0–25 years in the City of London. The report noted that a dedicated Families in the City team has been created, and workstream leads are making progress on their action plans. As part of the programme, a Family Design Lab will be launched to ensure the voices of children, young people, parents and carers are central to developments.

Children and Families Service Performance

The committee was scheduled to note a report updating members on service performance across the Children and Families Service. The report was to demonstrate where performance meets statutory obligations and targets and identify where action was taken for improvement in specific areas.

Children's Social Care and Family Help Service Development Plan

The committee was scheduled to note a report introducing the new Children's Social Care and Family Help Service Development Plan for April 2025 to March 2026. The report draws on learning from children and their families, national research, views of practitioners, independent Ofsted findings, and external and internal audit. Significant actions included behaviour improvement for care leavers, better earlier support for tenancy planning, and staff development/training to focus on the Care Leaver Covenant and Compact.

Education and Early Years Service Safeguarding Update

The committee was scheduled to note a report updating on the work that the Education and Early Years Service delivers to improve the safety and welfare of City-resident children being educated in the City of London and other boroughs, as well as non-resident children attending schools within the City of London. The report was to provide an update on developments and progress in several key areas, including the City of London School tracker, the Working Together to Improve School Attendance Statutory Guidance, children at risk of missing education, electively home-educated children, and performance licences and work permits.

Quality Assurance of Care Providers

The committee was scheduled to note a report on the Quality Assurance of Care Providers, outlining the oversight of the operational Children's Social Care and Early Help Service. The process seeks to elicit feedback from children, young people and families who directly experience the services, as well as multi-agency partners, allocated workers, and line managers. During the last year, six in-person visits to care providers were undertaken, supporting approximately 22 children and young people from the City of London.

City of London Virtual School

The committee was scheduled to note a report providing information about the developmental work taking place for children and young people through the City of London Virtual School. The Virtual School Development Plan provides detailed information about current activity, successes, challenges and plans. The City of London Virtual School promotes and supports the education of all children in care, those who have been previously looked after and those living in kinship care arrangements.

Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Participation Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to note a report on the Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Service's participation offer to children in care and care leavers. The participation offer goes beyond formal meetings and consultation events, providing opportunities for children and young people to develop friendships with each other; foster relationships with senior leaders; and try new activities and cultural experiences which provide a sense of collective belonging and identity.

Local Authority Designated Officer Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to note a report outlining the activity of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, the impact on safety for children, and effect on learning for individuals and organisations. The LADO has the responsibility to manage and have oversight of allegations made against staff (including volunteers) that call into question their suitability to work with or be in a position of trust with children.

Private Fostering Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to note a report detailing how the City of London has complied with its duties and functions in relation to private fostering. The Private Fostering Regulations apply when children or young people, aged under 16 years (18 if they have a disability) live with a person who is not a close relative for 28 days or more. There have been no private fostering arrangements identified in the City of London from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Deputy Helen Fentimen OBE JP was scheduled to be elected Deputy Chairman of the Sub-Committee.