The Children and Young People Select Committee met on Thursday, 8 January 2026, to discuss the Corporate Parenting Strategy, improving economic opportunities for young people, and the committee's work programme. Key decisions included approving recommendations for the Corporate Parenting Strategy, such as holding an all-member briefing and formalising reporting on carer welfare, and endorsing recommendations for improving economic opportunities, including lobbying for standardised data collection and developing integrated career guidance models.

Corporate Parenting Strategy

The committee discussed Lewisham's Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2028, which outlines the council's commitment to supporting children in care and care leavers. The strategy is built on seven statutory principles from the Children and Social Work Act 2017, focusing on acting in the best interests of the child, promoting their health and wellbeing, encouraging their views, ensuring access to services, promoting aspirations, preparing for adulthood, and keeping them safe and stable.

Key discussions included:

• Staffing and Recruitment: Concerns were raised about the recruitment and supervision of social workers. Officers explained that the council's workforce strategy, due to launch on World Social Work Day, addresses recruitment and training. Lewisham is known as a supportive place for social workers, with a focus on supporting newly qualified professionals and ensuring robust supervision.
• Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) vs. In-house Fostering: The report indicated a higher proportion of children in IFA placements compared to in-house fostering. Officers acknowledged this and detailed ongoing work on the sufficiency strategy to recruit more local foster carers. The staying put scheme, where young people remain with foster carers after 18, was highlighted as a positive initiative.
• Staff Experience and Training: The committee explored whether the life experiences of staff matched the expectations of young people. The Pathfinder programme was mentioned as a way to enhance staff development, with a focus on expanding opportunities for alternatively qualified workers.
• Partnership with Schools: The crucial role of schools as delivery partners was acknowledged, particularly in areas like attendance, behaviour, safeguarding, and transitions. The committee noted the pressures on schools due to shrinking budgets and explored how schools would be supported to meet any additional expectations from the strategy. The Virtual School and the education strategy's focus on belonging were highlighted as key interfaces with schools.
• Independent Advocates and Mentors: The strategy's aim to provide all children and young people with access to independent advocates and mentors was met with enthusiasm. Discussions touched on the current provision and how this could be expanded.
• Foster Carer Welfare and Involvement: The importance of supporting the welfare of foster carers was emphasised, with a desire to see this reflected more explicitly in reports. The committee also sought to understand how carers and social workers are involved in shaping strategies.
• Recruitment through Church Networks: The committee explored whether the council was working with church networks for foster parent recruitment, drawing a parallel with work done by Southwark Council.
• Family Networks and Extended Family: The importance of looking beyond immediate blood networks to wider extended family and friends for potential foster parents was discussed. Officers confirmed that family-led decision-making and working with wider family networks are integral to the council's practice model.

Decision: The committee RESOLVED to note the report and approved recommendations including an in-person all-member briefing on being a corporate parent within four months of the council elections, and the formalisation of reporting on work to support the welfare of carers and foster parents, ensuring their voices are centred in the council's work.

Improving Economic Opportunities and Outcomes for Young People

The committee examined a report on improving economic opportunities and outcomes for young people in Lewisham. The discussion highlighted the challenges faced by young people in the current labour market, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, and the council's strategies to address these.

Key points raised included:

• Ethnic Disparities: A significant concern was the disproportionately higher unemployment rate for Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) young people aged 18-24, who are twice as likely to be unemployed compared to their white counterparts. The council's commitment to lobbying for standardised and granular data collection across London and the nation was noted as crucial for bridging these inequalities.
• Career Guidance and Progression: The report recommended developing a more integrated and embedded model for career guidance and progression services within schools. This aims to ensure young people are better equipped with knowledge about the job market and have access to relevant opportunities.
• Apprenticeships and Skills Development: The council is exploring ways to create additional apprenticeships through its capital spending and developing a skills plan to maximise these opportunities. There was also a focus on providing guidance and exploring incentives for local Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to recruit local young people.
• Mentorship for Young Entrepreneurs: A recommendation was made to create a mentorship scheme or network for young entrepreneurs to learn from established business owners across Lewisham.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing: The impact of ill health and mental health issues on young people's ability to secure employment was discussed. The council's commitment to supporting young people's wellbeing as they transition into adulthood was emphasised.
• COVID-19 Cohort: The potential long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people's employment prospects was a concern, with a focus on ensuring adequate support is in place for this cohort.
• Structural Inequality and Racism: Officers acknowledged the pervasive nature of structural inequality and racism in the labour market, which presents significant challenges for young people from minority ethnic backgrounds.
• Data Collection and Granularity: The frustration with national data sets that lack sufficient granularity for local analysis was highlighted. The council's commitment to its own reporting, which includes demographic breakdowns and outcome analysis, was stressed.
• Apprenticeship Barriers: The lack of skills, confidence, and the requirement for English and Maths qualifications were identified as barriers for younger individuals entering apprenticeships. The report noted that T-levels and foundation apprenticeships are becoming more popular, with reforms to the Growth and Skills Levy aiming to address some of these issues, including removing English and Maths as an impediment to completing apprenticeships.
• Geographical Provision: A specific concern was raised about ensuring employability services are accessible in areas like Riverside in Evelyn, where youth unemployment and violence are significant issues. The council is looking to address geographical gaps in provision.
• Construction and Retrofit Opportunities: The significant spending planned for construction and retrofit projects was highlighted as a major opportunity to create local jobs and deliver necessary skills training. The report noted that skills shortages contribute significantly to construction costs.
• Parental Guidance and Narrative: The importance of helping parents provide their children with a narrative about the opportunities available in Lewisham, particularly in relation to apprenticeships and vocational pathways, was discussed.

Decision: The committee RESOLVED to note the report and approved recommendations including: lobbying for standardised and granular data collection across London and the nation to bridge ethnic inequalities; developing a more integrated and embedded model for career guidance and progression services within schools; exploring potential for creating additional apprenticeships through the council's capital spending, including a skills plan; providing guidance and exploring creative options for incentives for local SMEs to recruit young people; and creating a mentorship scheme or network for young entrepreneurs.

Select Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year. The proposed agenda for the next meeting on 3 March 2026 was agreed, which includes the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman findings, tackling race inequality in schools, and data monitoring. Specific suggestions for data monitoring included looking at the number of children in placements and trends over time, with a breakdown of placement types.

Decision: The committee RESOLVED that the agenda for the meeting on 3 March 2026 be agreed.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Luke Warner (Chair), Councillor Laura Cunningham (Vice Chair), Councillor Ayesha Lahai-Taylor, Councillor Hilary Moore, Councillor Rudi Schmidt, Councillor Luke Sorba, Monsignor Nicholas Rothon, Pia Longman, Sabrina Dixon, Jessica Johnson (Young Advisor), Sylvia Harris (Lewisham Education Group), and officers including Sean Maguire (Head of Corporate Parenting), Lemio McEwan (Director of Family Help and Care), Spike Van der Vliet (Head of Economy, Jobs and Partnerships), Hazel Brooks (Jobs and Skills Programme Lead), and Ruth Griffiths (Head of Access, Inclusion and Participation). Pinaki Goschau, Executive Director for Children and Young People, also made concluding remarks.