The Thriving Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel were scheduled to meet on 23 September 2025 to discuss the Enfield Safeguarding Children's Partnership annual report, schools in deficit, and the panel's work programme. The panel was also scheduled to review the minutes of their previous meeting.

Enfield Safeguarding Children's Partnership Annual Report

The panel were scheduled to receive the Enfield Safeguarding Children's Partnership (ESCP) Annual Report 2024/25. The report was intended to outline the proactive measures taken by the ESCP to prevent neglect, abuse, and exploitation of children and families. The report was also set to highlight data and information showcasing the impact of these initiatives, and set out the Partnership's priorities for the 2025-2027 period.

The report was scheduled to highlight the following achievements:

• The publication of Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements (MASA). According to the report, this document outlines the collaborative efforts and responsibilities of all safeguarding partners in Enfield.
• The outcome of the Ofsted inspection in July 2024, where Enfield's children's services were awarded a 'Good' rating under the ILACS (Inspecting Local Authority Children's Services) framework.
• A Multi-Faith Safeguarding Event held at the Rumi Mosque on 2 October, in collaboration with Enfield Children and Young People Services (ECYPS).
• The recruitment of a new cohort of safeguarding ambassadors.
• The publication of an executive summary and a 7-minute briefing for the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR) concerning Kieron, a 16-year-old boy who died from a stab wound.
• Enfield's contribution to the London Stop and Search Pilot Phase 4.
• The completion of an audit to assess the quality of multi-agency practice in Enfield for children subject to an Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC).

The report also set out the ESCP's key priorities for 2025-2027:

• Social Work Reforms
• Elective Home Education
• Child Sexual Abuse

The report stated that the work of the ESCP meets the council's priority of Thriving children and young people .

Schools in Deficit

The panel were scheduled to receive a report providing an update on the financial position of Enfield maintained schools as of 31 March 2025.

The report stated that the council has oversight of maintained schools' budgets, and if a school goes into deficit, the council must agree a deficit recovery plan with the school. The report noted that as the number of schools in deficit increases, the financial pressure and risk for the council will continue to rise.

The panel were asked to note:

• Schools balances as at 31 March 2025
• Schools reporting a revenue deficit balance as at 31 March 2025
• The process for schools in deficit and the issuing of notice of concern and warning letters
• Schools reporting surplus revenue balances above 5% and £100k

The report stated that total school balances as at 31 March 2025 were £2.4m, an increase of £0.9m. However, a total of 15 Enfield schools reported a deficit revenue balance at the end of the 2024/25 financial year, representing a total value of £6.4m, an increase of £0.5m.

The report outlined the process for schools in deficit, including the requirement for the school to produce a deficit recovery plan to clear the deficit within three years, or in exceptional circumstances, a period agreed with the authority. The report also noted that the local authority is reviewing the current arrangements in place for individual schools in deficit.

The report also stated that the Enfield Scheme for Financing for Schools sets out the controls on surplus balances, requiring governing bodies to report on the intended use of balances where the total accumulated balances exceed 5% and £100k of that financial year's budget share. A total of 8 Enfield schools reportedly had surplus balances above this threshold as at 31 March 2025.

Work Programme 2025/26

The panel were scheduled to note the Thriving Children & Young People Scrutiny Panel Work Programme 2025/26. The work programme included the following topics:

• Safeguarding Children's Partnership Annual Report 2024/25
• Annual Children's Statutory Complaints Report 2024/25
• Schools in Deficit
• Speech & Language Therapy
• SEND – demand on provision and performance¹
• School standards (to include information on attendance & exclusion)
• Family Hubs and Start for Life Services
• Youth Justice Service
• Children's Services Reform
• CAMHS update²
• Falling School Rolls
• Children In Care
• North Central London Child Death Overview Panel Annual Report 2024/25