The Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss fostering initiatives, education issues, national reforms, and the committee's work programme. The committee heard from foster carers about the Fostering Together programme, discussed school place planning and pupil exclusions, received an update on national reforms for children's services and education, and agreed to re-establish the Joint SEND Priority Action Plan Sub-Group.

Fostering Together Initiative

The committee heard from Amara Ali-Sheikh and Tracey Berwick, two foster carers, about their experiences with the Fostering Together initiative, which is based on the Mockingbird programme¹. The initiative aims to create sustainable foster care through a relational model inspired by extended family networks.

Tracey Berwick, a foster carer for 26 years, explained that she felt there was something missing from the fostering system, and after a conversation with her manager, Rebecca, the Fostering Together initiative was created. She said that the support provided by the initiative is invaluable, and that it provides stability and builds good relationships with children.

Amara Ali-Sheikh added that Fostering Together benefits foster carers and children by providing time off and building good communication.

Councillors praised the programme, with Councillor Janice Ward-Wilson, Deputy Mayor of Bexley 2025/26, noting that it was quite different from her own fostering experience and that it would have been absolutely wonderful to have such a programme available.

Councillor Jeremy Fosten, Deputy Leader of the Labour Group/Shadow Cabinet Member for Children's Services & Education, raised the issue of the £10 monthly contribution from core carers for children's activities. He was interested to hear more about how that came about, and whether it was related to under-resourcing or under-funding. Tracey Berwick clarified that it was a voluntary contribution from the carers themselves, and that it was used to fund activities for the children and themselves.

Councillors also discussed the need for specialist training in areas such as mental health, conflict resolution, and trauma-informed care.

Councillor Asunrami raised the importance of a trauma-informed approach, and asked about the timescales and priority for this training. An officer responded that core carers would be a priority for any specialist training, and that there was a plan to disseminate it out to all foster carers in due course.

Councillor Gower asked about the diversity of families and how the council is supporting them, and how the council is sourcing from diverse communities for recruitment. An officer responded that foster carers are good at engaging with each other and supporting recruitment, and that marketing reaches all different areas now.

Education Overview

The committee received an overview of education issues in Bexley, including pupil numbers, school admissions, elective home education, and behaviour and inclusion.

Pupil Numbers and School Place Planning

Councillors were informed that Bexley, like all local authorities, has a duty to provide a school place for every one of its pupils. The report noted a reduction in the number of available school places in 2025 because some schools have reduced their planned admission numbers (PAN).

Reverend Burr asked about the process for schools to reduce their PAN numbers, and how long that process takes. An officer explained that it involves conversations with schools, and that the Department for Education (DfE) is now looking at the issue strategically across the borough.

Reverend Burr also asked about why some people still don't get any of their preferences, despite the numbers of places available. An officer explained that a supercomputer allocates places based on admission arrangements and preferences, and that it is not under the council's control. They added that parents may not get their first choice because they put down selective schools without taking the selection test, or because they only make a limited number of choices.

Councillor Fosten asked about the opt-out system for school admissions, and whether it creates more hassle for the admissions team. An officer responded that it is a burden, but not a huge burden, because most children get their place.

Elective Home Education

The committee was told that elective home education (EHE) is a statutory right for parents. The report noted an increase in the number of children being electively home educated.

Councillor Christopher Rydie asked for a reminder of the key things that are driving the increase in elective home education. An officer responded that it could be down to families about to be excluded from school being encouraged to elect for home education, trauma in a family, or emotional-based school avoidance. They assured members that the team are on top of the issue and monitor it very closely.

Another officer added that the main reasons given for EHE are anxiety and philosophical reasons, and that there has been a shift away from philosophical reasons into the anxiety space.

Councillor Gower asked about the process that is followed once EHE is identified as a choice, and what safeguarding assurances are in place. An officer responded that there is a 12-monthly check, but that this is the minimum, and that officers are acutely aware of safeguarding needs.

Behaviour and Inclusion

The committee was informed that there has been some really positive data on exclusions.

Councillor Rydie asked whether there is anything to suggest that schools are becoming more reluctant to exclude necessarily, rather than that behaviour is definitely improving. An officer responded that behaviours have not changed, but that schools are being more open about inclusion.

Councillor Asunramu asked how the council is helping schools and supporting students who are struggling with alcohol and drug abuse. An officer responded that they are working closely with public health and police colleagues, and that they are starting to see the numbers come down around that.

Resource Provision

Councillor Andy Dourmoush raised concerns about the number of resource provision places being created in mainstream schools, and whether the resources are viable for these placements. He asked whether children are going to benefit in the same way that they would go into a specialist school, or whether the council is just trying to provide placements on the cheap.

An officer responded that the council wants children to be educated in the local community, and that the resource provisions are not about doing things on the cheap. They explained that the council went out to every school and asked them if they wanted a resource provision, and that they were inundated with schools coming forward. They added that the council is making sure that the schools have the resources they need, and that they are monitoring the performance and outputs of the resource provisions.

Councillor Caroline Newton added that resource provision isn't necessarily the right place for every single child, but that it is the direction of travel.

Selective Tests

Councillor Asunramu asked whether the council is happy that non-Bexley students seem to be deemed more selective for grammar schools than Bexley students, and what the council is doing to support more Bexley students to pass the test.

An officer responded that there is selection test tourism, with families going around and taking every single selection test they can. They added that the council does not recommend tutoring and coaching, and that pupils should be able to pass the test based on what they learn up to the second term of year five.

Councillor Frazer Brooks asked about secondary admissions, and whether someone who applies for a selective school but does not pass the selection test would show up in the table as getting their first preference if they get their second preference, which is a non-selective school. An officer responded that it would show up as their first preference.

National Reform Agenda for Children's Services and Education

The committee received a verbal update on the national reform agenda for children's services and education.

Tamsin Besson explained that the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill is the driver of the change, and that the reasons for the change specifically in children's social care is about improving safety, security and opportunities for children by offering a more family-centered, relationship-based approach to support.

An officer added that the reforms would give the council more powers in relation to school admissions and place planning, elective home education, and regulation of independent education institutions.

Councillor Gower commented that Bexley is in a good position to deliver the reforms, because it already has strong relationships in the community.

Establishing Sub-Groups

The committee agreed to re-establish the Joint SEND Priority Action Plan Sub-Group with the Adult Social Care and Health OSC.

Work Programme

The committee noted the work programme and agreed to consider any additional suggestions via email.

Councillor Christopher Rydie raised concerns about the budget monitoring report, noting that the council is projecting to be £1.7 million over budget, of which £0.7 million is going to be in education. He questioned whether it was appropriate to be hiring more posts in this situation.

An officer responded that many of the pressures relate to inflation, and that they are focusing on living within their means.