The Children's Education Scrutiny Subcommittee met on Tuesday 09 September 2025 to discuss the Youth Strategy, the Planning for School Pupil Places report, and the Family Services Quarterly Update. Key decisions included noting the progress on delivering sufficient school places and agreeing to the recommendations within the Family Services report.

Youth Strategy Overview

The committee received an overview of Barnet's approach to developing a coordinated and inclusive youth offer, in line with a statutory duty to secure sufficient youth services. The report highlighted the importance of accessible recreational and educational leisure-time activities for young people, particularly those who are vulnerable. Extensive engagement with stakeholders, including young people, schools, and voluntary organisations, has been undertaken to inform a needs assessment. The strategy development is planned to be youth-centred and partnership-based, with a timeline aiming for Cabinet approval and strategy publication in Spring 2026. The committee was asked to scrutinise the approach and provide comments, as well as consider how the council and its members can support cross-directorate collaboration for the strategy's implementation.

Planning for School Pupil Places 2023-2027 Update

This report provided an update on the council's approach to ensuring sufficient school places in Barnet. It detailed projected demand for primary and secondary school places, including for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The report noted a London-wide fall in birth rates, leading to a growing surplus of school places in some areas, while demand for SEND provision continues to rise. Barnet has expanded mainstream provision significantly over the last decade and is also increasing specialist places. The report detailed the methodology for pupil forecasting, including the use of Greater London Authority (GLA) projections and local intelligence. It also outlined the revised primary planning area structure and provided an overview of each planning area, highlighting projected pupil numbers, available places, and any specific challenges or developments. The committee was asked to note the progress in delivering sufficient school places.

Family Services Quarterly Update

John Anthony, Executive Director for Children and Families, provided an overview of the report, noting a recent child death for which councillors had been updated. The report detailed key service initiatives and performance data for Family Services. A committee member raised concerns about transition planning for young people and how the local offer is communicated to care-experienced young people. Brigitte Jordaan, Director of Children's Social Care, explained that looked-after children can access advocacy services and that the accessibility of the local offer is discussed with young people. Robust transition plans are being implemented, starting earlier and simplifying SEND pathways. The committee agreed to the recommendations within the report.

Elective Home Education Task and Finish Group – Update on Recommendations

This report provided an update on the progress made towards implementing the recommendations of the Elective Home Education Task and Finish Group. Cabinet had partially accepted recommendations regarding a national register for Elective Home Education (EHE) children, noting that the Children Not In School Bill proposes such a register. The council will no longer write to London Councils on this matter. Regarding access to exam centres, Cabinet partially accepted the recommendation, stating that while parents are responsible for exam costs, information on exam centres will be available on the EHE website, and the council will explore lobbying the Department for Education for funding support. The recommendation for unique library cards for EHE families was partially accepted, with information on obtaining special library cards to be added to the EHE website. Cabinet accepted the recommendation to review and update the EHE policy, but is awaiting confirmation of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The recommendation to explore opportunities for a youth club directory was partially accepted, with a preference for providing links to services on the EHE website. The recommendation to review and update the EHE website information to ensure links between BELS and Council sites was accepted and is being implemented. The recommendation to develop opportunities for wider access to information and services for EHE families, particularly those with SEND, was accepted, with a new SEND sub-tab planned for the EHE website. Cabinet accepted the recommendation for the EHE Team to provide data on specific schools to the School Inclusion and Improvement Team to help review inclusive practice. Finally, Cabinet accepted the recommendation to ensure children and young people can share their thoughts on their education, with aims to meet with young people annually and at exit meetings where possible.

Task and Finish Group Updates

It was confirmed that a meeting with foster carers would still take place following the completion of the Fostering Task and Finish Group. Committee members expressed pleasure that Cabinet had accepted most of the recommendations from the report and thanked officers for their support.

Cabinet Forward Plan (Key Decision Schedule)

The Committee noted the Cabinet Forward Plan for 2025/26.

Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee Work Programme

The Committee noted the work programme for the upcoming year, which includes a focus on SEND, with plans for school visits to a Jewish school, a faith school, and a community school, as well as visits to frontline services.

The meeting concluded at 8.40 pm.