The Education and Children's Services Committee met to discuss safeguarding, budget monitoring, special educational needs, children in care, and complaints. The committee approved the Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children Partnership annual report, noted the overspend on the dedicated schools grant, and celebrated the 'outstanding' rating given to the council's children's services by Ofsted.

• Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services

  The committee noted the outcome of the Ofsted inspection, which rated the overall effectiveness of children's services as 'outstanding'. The report highlighted two areas for improvement:

  • Strengthening practice for children in need of help and protection outside of normal working hours.
  • Improving the response to children experiencing cumulative harm from long-term neglect.

  Councillor Michael Butlin, Armed Forces Champion, raised concerns about children being at risk of immediate harm outside of normal working hours and asked for clarification on the support available. The Executive Director of Children's Services, Ian Dodds, clarified that the emergency duty team, based in Sutton, responds to any risk of harm to children outside of normal working hours, and a senior manager is always on duty to provide advice and consultation. Councillor Rob OCarroll asked how the council would ensure that they do not backslide on these outstanding results, and how outside events like upcoming funding review and the chronic underfunding of services from central government will affect the ability to maintain this excellent result. Ian Dodds responded that the stability of the workforce is the most important thing, and that the outstanding judgement will help with recruitment and retention. He also noted that changes in other services, such as the police and the integrated care board, could affect the judgement going forward. Councillor Niki Crookdake asked about the equality impact considerations, and whether the impact on disadvantaged children as a cohort had been considered. Ian Dodds said that he would take that away and look at it. Ian Dodds also apologised to Councillor Michael Butlin, Armed Forces Champion, because there was a typo in the report that said the out of hour service operated from 5pm to 8pm, when it should have said 5pm to 8am. Councillor Rob OCarroll requested that the committee congratulate and thank officers for the hard work in achieving this outstanding result. The committee noted the recommendation to reassign to that.

• Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children's Partnership Annual Report

  The committee noted the annual report of the Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children's Partnership (KRSCP) for 2024-2025. The partnership brings together agencies that protect children from harm, including the local authority, the integrated care board, and the police.

  Councillor Niki Crookdake raised concerns about information sharing, particularly accessing police information and data. Ian Dodds explained the difficulty in obtaining data from the Metropolitan Police, particularly regarding the impact of crime on child victims. He noted that this issue has been ongoing for several years, and the Detective Superintendent is following up with colleagues in the Met.

  Councillor Rob O`Carroll raised concerns about the impact of the Metropolitan Police's funding difficulties and the removal of dedicated schools officers. Ian Dodds said he would take the question back to the police for an answer.

  Councillor Fiona Sacks, Sanctuary Champion, asked about involving young people and the challenges in recruiting a young scrutineer. Ian Dodds responded that funding had been identified, and a young scrutineer, Michael Husher, had been appointed.

  Councillor Margaret Dane, Disability Champion, sought clarification on areas of learning and need for improvement identified by the police, Kingston Hospital, and Children's Social Care. Ian Dodds explained that the actions primarily concerned the police, including Operation Encompass¹ and training for frontline officers.

• Q1 Quarterly Monitoring Report

  The committee noted the current projected overspend of £0.226m on the general fund revenue services, the forecast overspend of £4.339m on the ringfenced dedicated schools grant, and the latest position on the capital programme.

  Lucy Kourpas outlined the financial position for three key areas: the general fund, the ring-fenced dedicated schools grant fund (DSG), and the children's capital programme. She noted an overspend of £226,000 in the general fund revenue budget, primarily driven by pressures in social care and early health, particularly concerning children looked after. She also highlighted an expected underspend on SEN transport due to pupil numbers.

  Councillor Niki Crookdake sought clarification on discrepancies between figures in the budget monitoring report and the SEND Futures plan. Lucy Kourpas clarified that the differences were due to timing issues and variations in the dedicated schools grant.

  Councillor Zoe McLeod asked about lobbying the government for a funding solution to the challenges in the SEND system. Lucy Kourpas responded that the council had provided input into various consultations but was awaiting news from the government's SEND review in the autumn.

  Councillor Niki Crookdake asked about the variance in the social care and early health budget and whether preventative spending was impacting the number of children coming into care. Lucy Kourpas explained that the impact of early health support was already reflected in the pressures within social care.

• SEND Futures Plan

  The committee noted progress towards the implementation of the SEND Futures Plan and the draft updated SEND Financial Model.

  Charis Penfold provided an update on the SEND Futures Plan, highlighting progress in reviewing specialist resource provisions, commissioning activity, and the internship programme. She also noted delays in the new free school and concerns about the dedicated schools grant and high needs funding.

  Councillor Jo Humphreys asked for an update on the parent carer forum and their input into the strategy. Ian Dodds responded that the forum was fully engaged but struggling with membership and capacity.

  Councillor Rob O`Carroll asked about the timeline for the permanent site of the new Richmond London River Academy. Charis Penfold responded that the date was September 2026, and that they had capacity for two more classes should they need them.

  Councillor Michael Wilson expressed scepticism about additional funding from the DfE and asked about engaging with the parent carer forum once the government's outcomes are known. Ian Dodds responded that they had a co-production steering group with the parent carer forums and would take an informed, measured approach in consultation with parents and carers.

  Councillor Margaret Dane, Disability Champion, asked for more specific information on improving efficiency and the local offer. Charis Penfold explained that the SEND Futures Plan was committed to providing the very best locally, including upskilling mainstream schools and expanding specialist provision.

  Councillor Michael Butlin, Armed Forces Champion, asked if the investment in Stratford would enable people to return to the borough and save costs. Charis Penfold confirmed that was the intention.

  Councillor Niki Crookdake questioned the strategy of building more provisions and its impact on reducing demand and complexity. Charis Penfold responded that the increase in children with EHC plans was significant, and the work aimed to avoid costs by keeping children locally.

  Sam Gower, Church Representative: Archdiocese of Southwark and Archdiocese of Westminster, asked about engaging with the diocese to ensure equity of opportunity for Catholic children. Charis Penfold clarified that specialist provision would be for children with an EHC plan, regardless of faith.

  Councillor Fiona Sacks, Sanctuary Champion, asked about the impact of COVID and progress on issues like school avoidance. Charis Penfold responded that there were still indicators of a tricky time for children who experienced that as part of their education, and they continued to do a lot of work on that.

  Councillor Michael Wilson asked about the ICB not meeting criteria and how to better influence partners in the ICB. Ian Dodds responded that the criteria for continuing healthcare had changed, and they were working to understand the changes and challenge decisions.

  Councillor Margaret Dane, Disability Champion, asked about Catholic provisions in the Westminster area. Charis Penfold responded that they would link up with diocesan colleagues.

  Councillor Niki Crookdake asked about therapy services and ensuring that children receive the therapy listed in their EHCP. Ian Dodds responded that they were working with ICB colleagues to look at a model that would enable them to invest in what they need for the current population.

  Councillor Niki Crookdake asked about the Auriga Trust providing in-house provision to local schools. Charis Penfold responded that they needed to develop and get the confidence in their own and their staffing absolutely right before they felt able to do the outreach, but that is part of our plan.

  Councillor Niki Crookdake requested that the committee have a working party that works on working out how to implement the white paper when it actually does come in in terms of looking at the forward SEND strategy.

• Annual Corporate Parenting Report

  The committee noted the outcomes achieved for children in care in 2024-2025.

  Yvette Lima and Ian Dodds presented the annual corporate parenting report, outlining the profile of children in care and care leavers and the work of the corporate parenting panel.

  Councillor Matthew Hull asked about semi-independent living and the risk of care leavers ending up on the streets. Yvette Lima responded that they remain supporting them while they transition into permanent accommodation.

  Councillor Jo Humphreys noted an increase in casework related to homelessness among ex-care leavers and asked about the relationship with the council's housing department. Yvette Lima responded that they were working on a joint housing protocol and had a rent guarantor scheme.

  Councillor Margaret Dane, Disability Champion, asked about dental care for children in care. Yvette Lima responded that it was part of the strategy going forward, and that they were having conversations with young people about the impact of not looking after their health now the impact that they will have later.

  Councillor Niki Crookdake commended the corporate parenting meetings and suggested giving additional points to care-experienced adults and families under the housing allocation policy.

  Councillor Michael Wilson asked if the local offer for kinship care had been published. Yvette Lima responded that it was ready to be published.

• Annual Statutory Complaints Report

  The committee reviewed and noted the annual statutory complaints report for Achieving for Children's Services 2024-2025.

  Nancy Kurisa presented the report, noting that complaint numbers had remained consistent, with 26 formal statutory complaints completed. The main themes raised were around perceptions of support and professional decisions.

  Councillor Zoe McLeod asked for clarification on the total number of complaints, the number of complaints per stage, and the time taken. Nancy Kurisa provided an overview of the numbers and timescales for each stage.

  Councillor Niki Crookdake asked about complaints from young people and how they are encouraged to raise concerns. Ian Dodds responded that all children have access to an advocacy service.

• Committee Work Programme

  The committee noted the committee work programme.

  Councillor Jo Humphreys suggested an annual report from the parent carer forum.

  Councillor Niki Crookdake suggested a working party to look at the impact of the SEND white paper.

  Councillor Niki Crookdake suggested that the committee could talk about housing allocation policy again and whether we should have increased points for families and children who are care experienced.

  Councillor Jo Humphreys asked if there was a report that comes that talks about how our schools are doing. Ian Dodds responded that there was the post 16 education offer, and the validated school test and exam results.