The Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission met to discuss the budget monitoring for Children & Education Services, the progress of the Families First Programme, and updates on sexual and reproductive health services for young people. Key decisions included noting the response from Cabinet members regarding sexual and reproductive health services and reviewing the Hackney Education Strategy 2025-2028.

Budget Monitoring Children & Education Services 2025/26

The Commission reviewed the in-year budgets and delivery of savings proposals for the Children & Education Directorate. The report indicated a forecast overspend of £7.5m before reserves, and £3.5m after reserves. Children and Families Services (CFS) was projected to underspend by £0.6m, with pressures in Directorate Management Team, Looked After Children & Leaving Care Services, and Young Hackney. Hackney Education (HE) was forecast to overspend by £4.127m on the general fund, primarily due to increased costs for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and SEND transport, as well as pressures in Early Years due to not meeting previous savings targets. Management actions to reduce the overspend included a Foster First Approach, reviewing high-cost placements, and investing in a permanent workforce to reduce agency spend. A significant risk identified was the accumulated deficit in the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for SEND, which stood at £19.1m.

Families First Programme

The Commission received an update on Hackney's plans to reconfigure children's social care services in line with the Department for Education's (DfE) Families First Partnership Programme. This programme aims to create a seamless, non-stigmatising offer of support by integrating targeted Early Help and Child In Need work into a unified Family Help service, with an emphasis on whole-family working. Key developments include the creation of a Multi-Agency Child Protection Team and the establishment of neighbourhood-based, multi-disciplinary Family Help teams. The programme also prioritises strengthening Family Group Decision Making and ensuring a skilled and effective workforce. The report highlighted the importance of co-design with children, families, and community and voluntary organisations. The phased rollout of the programme is planned to begin in April 2026, with full implementation by April 2027.

Sexual & Reproductive Health Services for Young People

The Commission noted the response from Cabinet members regarding sexual and reproductive health services for young people. The response acknowledged the increase in service use between 2022 and 2024, attributing this to local efforts under the City & Hackney Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy. Initiatives include regular clinics at the Hackney Care Leavers Hub, a dedicated young people's sexual and reproductive health nurse, and outreach to contingency hotels. Despite these efforts, sexually transmitted infections continue to disproportionately affect young people. The report detailed a redesign of services commissioned by Young Hackney, shifting focus from direct delivery of Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) in schools to building capacity within schools, with targeted support for sensitive topics. The new model aims to complement existing school provision, not duplicate or replace it, and will embed ongoing consultation and co-production with young people.

Hackney Education Strategy 2025-2028

The Commission reviewed its response to the draft Hackney Education Strategy 2025-2028. The Commission's suggestions included a need for greater clarity on how the strategy's priorities would be resourced, particularly those supported by the General Fund, given the projected financial deficit. They also recommended actively recognising parents and carers as key partners in education delivery, with effective engagement structures. Further clarification was sought on the implementation of an area-based model for education planning, particularly regarding school place planning accountability and how this would intersect with academies and federated schools. The Commission also requested assurance on how the strategy would address educational attainment gaps and support affirmative strategies for inequities. Finally, they highlighted concerns about inequities in school attendance and the need for school place planning to promote inclusive and diverse school experiences.

Behaviour Management & School Inclusion

A verbal update was provided on the Commission's review of behaviour management and school inclusion in Hackney. The call for evidence was highlighted as crucial for the review's success, with an urgent need for more responses from children, young people, parents, carers, and the voluntary sector. Focus groups with teachers and school governors were planned, with arrangements being made for parent and young people focus groups. The Commission discussed the potential for evidence submitted as part of the safeguarding review into Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy to be used to avoid duplication. It was emphasised that this review is not a response to the Mossbourne review but a long-standing commitment of the Commission, aiming to identify good practice and look towards the future across all of Hackney's schools.

Work Programme

The Commission reviewed and monitored its work programme for the remainder of the municipal year. Several items were confirmed, including updates on the Affordable Childcare Commission, the Ernst & Young report on children's centres, and an equalities and impact assessment update for childcare funding. The Commission agreed to explore the childcare funding changes further in a future meeting due to outstanding questions. The publication of the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children's Safeguarding Practice Review into Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy led to adjustments in the work programme, with the report to be taken at the next meeting. The outcomes of an Ofsted area inspection would also need to be accommodated. Consequently, Deputy Mayor Bramble's Q&A session and the sand area action report were rescheduled, and a planned item on young people not in education, training, or employment was deferred.

Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 13th October 2025 were to be noted. Follow-up information requests from the 15th September meeting were also presented, including updates on the Affordable Childcare Commission, Ernst & Young children centre recommendations, and an equalities and impact assessment for childcare funding subsidy changes. The Commission agreed to explore these further in a future meeting.