The Children and Education Policy and Accountability Committee of Hammersmith and Fulham Council met on Monday 03 November 2025 to discuss the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report, an update on national children's social care reforms, and the Local Offer Annual Report. Key decisions included noting the progress and priorities outlined in the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report, acknowledging the council's response to national children's social care reforms, and reviewing the successes and future plans for the Local Offer for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

H&F Local Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report 2024-25

The committee received a comprehensive overview of the Hammersmith & Fulham Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) Annual Report for 2024-25. Derek Benson, the Independent Scrutineer for the Safeguarding Children's Partnership, presented the report, highlighting the partnership's progress against its priorities, including children's mental health, addressing domestic abuse, transitional safeguarding, and safeguarding adolescents with disabilities.

Key points from the report included:

• New Safeguarding Arrangements: The partnership has updated its arrangements in line with the Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 guidance, with education now formally included as a fourth safeguarding partner.
• Priorities for 2025-2028: The LSCP has set three strategic priorities for the next three years: Staying Safe, Early Identification & Prevention, and Think Family. These will be underpinned by cross-cutting themes of the Voice of the Child, Anti-Racist Practice, and Multi-Agency Information Sharing.
• Progress in Key Areas: The report detailed progress in areas such as mental health support for young people, with initiatives like the Best for You website and increased safeguarding supervision for mental health practitioners. Responses to domestic abuse have been strengthened through training and the Safe & Together model. Transitional safeguarding has been enhanced through multi-agency panels like the Vulnerability Tracker and the Adolescent at Risk (AAR) Panel. Safeguarding adolescents, particularly those with disabilities, has seen progress through a pan-London stop and search audit and a planned Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Hub.
• Co-production and Youth Voice: The report emphasised the significant role of young people in shaping safeguarding priorities, with initiatives like the Youth Council and Youth Advisory Board actively contributing to policy and resource development.
• Subgroups and Audits: The LSCP operates through various subgroups, including the Case Review Group, Quality Performance and Challenge Group, and Learning and Development Group, which conduct audits, reviews, and develop strategies to improve child safety.
• Challenges: The report acknowledged ongoing challenges, including the need to develop a robust performance framework, data disaggregation issues across partner agencies, and the impact of Integrated Care Board (ICB) reorganisations.

Councillors and co-opted members engaged in a detailed discussion, asking questions about the inclusion of education as a statutory partner, the measurement of anti-racist practice, and the approach to digital safeguarding. The committee was reassured by the strong multi-agency collaboration and the commitment to embedding the voice of the child in all aspects of safeguarding.

Update on the National Children's Social Care Reforms and Transformation Agenda

Sarah Sanderson, Operational Director of Children and Young People Services, provided an update on the national children's social care reforms. The Department for Education's initiative aims to transform integrated working to safeguard children and young people, with local authorities expected to implement changes from April 2025.

Key aspects of the update included:

• H&F's Approach: Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) has adopted a careful and thoughtful approach, building on existing strengths such as its embedded practice model, stable workforce, and strong leadership, which contributed to its Outstanding Ofsted judgement.
• Transformation Programme Workstreams: H&F's reform programme is centred around four workstreams: Single Child and Family (CAF) Assessment, Adolescent Family Help Team, Integrated Front Door, and Join-up with Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) partners.
• Focus on Adolescents: The Families First programme will initially focus on adolescents, with the development of an Adolescent Family Help Team bringing together family practitioners, social workers, and specialist adolescent leads.
• Governance and Finance: A multi-agency steering group has been established to oversee the reforms, reporting into the Children's Health, Education and Social Care Board and the LSCP. Additional funding for these reforms will be provided through a new Children's Services Prevention Grant.
• Co-production: The reforms emphasise co-production with families, partners, and the voluntary sector through workshops, focus groups, and feedback mechanisms.

The committee discussed the development of the Adolescent Family Help Team, the role of social care practice, and how residents, parents, and youth will be represented on steering groups. The council's commitment to co-production and ensuring meaningful participation from families was highlighted.

Local Offer Annual Report 2024-25

Philip Tomsett, Head of Family Hubs, presented the Local Offer (LO) Annual Report for 2024-25. The Local Offer provides a central hub of information and local services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 25, and their families.

Key highlights from the report included:

• Integration with Family Hubs: Since March 2024, the Local Offer has been integrated into the H&F Family Hub website, creating a single point of access for all families.
• Co-production: The LO is a co-produced service, with significant input from children, young people, parents, carers, and partner organisations in designing and reviewing its content and accessibility.
• Award Recognition: The H&F Local Offer won the Best Local Offer award for 2024 from the National Association of Family Information Services (NAFIS), a testament to its co-production approach and accessibility.
• Usage and Awareness: The Local Offer section is the most visited part of the Family Hub website. Awareness of the LO has increased to 47.1%, with a target of 60% by March 2026.
• Key Developments: New content pages have been developed, including information on EHC plans, emotional wellbeing, childcare support for SEND children, and preparing for adulthood. A co-produced video on supported internships was also created.
• Marketing and Outreach: A comprehensive marketing plan included digital promotion, distribution of leaflets and business cards, and outreach at over 20 events, engaging directly with families and professionals.
• Future Plans: Next steps include improving accessibility, expanding seamless information links with other services, and increasing reach and engagement to meet the 60% awareness target by March 2026.

The committee discussed the challenges of measuring website awareness and usage, the importance of SENCOs being aware of the Local Offer, and the distinction between awareness of the website and access to services. The report was commended for its award-winning approach and its commitment to co-production.

Summer in the City 2025

Marcus Robinson, Strategic Commissioner, presented the Summer in the City 2025 report, which provides an overview of the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme delivery.

Key points from the report included:

• Programme Overview: Summer in the City is the council's delivery of the HAF Programme, offering free activities and nutritious meals to school-aged children during the holidays.
• Provider Network: The programme worked with 32 local providers, including seven new additions and specialist SEND providers, ensuring a borough-wide geographical spread and inclusive opportunities.
• Engagement: Despite the cancellation of the annual CommUNITY Day due to poor weather, overall engagement numbers remained strong, with approximately 2,400 children attending, including over 2,000 with SEND. 73% of attendees were eligible for Free School Meals.
• Impact: 100% of families reported that the programme eased financial pressure, and 80% described noticeable improvements in their child's confidence and social development.
• Food Education: 55% of providers involved children in food preparation, with 80% serving hot food. Food education was integrated through various activities, and recipe booklets were distributed to families.
• Future Plans: National HAF programme funding has been secured for the next three years, and the council is working on future coordination arrangements, building on the current successful model.

The committee praised the programme for its significant positive impact on children's confidence, social skills, and overall wellbeing, as well as its role in easing financial pressure on families. The programme's success was attributed to strong local partnerships and collaborative efforts.