The Children's Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting on 26 January 2026 focused on safeguarding, special educational needs and disability (SEND), youth engagement, and the council's financial update. Key decisions included noting the Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership's annual report, approving investment in SEND statutory services, and agreeing the scope for a young carers task and finish group.

Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report

The committee reviewed the Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership's (BSCP) Annual Report for 2024/25. Tony Lewis, Partnership Manager for BSCP, introduced the report, highlighting the collective efforts of statutory partners—the Local Authority, North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB), and the Metropolitan Police—in safeguarding children. Detective Chief Inspector Dave LaRiviere and Bridget Griffin, Independent Chair of the LTRG, were also present. The report detailed work on strategic priorities including strengthening leadership, tailoring support to local needs, driving continuous improvement, responding to serious safeguarding cases, and enhancing feedback loops with children and families.

Councillor David Longstaff raised concerns about the persistent low funding contribution from the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), which has remained at £5,000 annually, contrasting sharply with contributions from other partners. Nikki Pace, the Independent Scrutineer, echoed these concerns, noting that this issue has been raised consistently for years across London. Councillor Longstaff also questioned the financial sustainability of the partnership, noting that salaries appear to outstrip income. Tony Lewis assured the committee that Children's Social Care would cover any financial shortfalls to maintain safeguarding roles.

The report also highlighted concerns regarding private fostering arrangements, with a national increase in such cases. The partnership is focusing on raising awareness and improving reporting mechanisms for these arrangements.

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Update

Kim Miller, Director of SEND and Inclusion, presented an update on SEND and Alternative Provision in Barnet. Despite Barnet's strong national performance in SEND outcomes and inclusion, the borough faces significant challenges due to rising demand and complexity. The High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant is projecting an in-year deficit of £5.9 million, with reserves expected to be depleted by the end of the 2026-27 financial year.

Key pressures identified include a shortage of special school places, leading to increased reliance on expensive independent and out-of-borough placements, and gaps in therapy provision. The report detailed the critical need for capital investment to rebuild Oakleigh and Mapledown Special Schools to address estate limitations and expand capacity.

The committee heard about the implementation of a three-tier Alternative Provision model and strengthened governance for Section 19 duties. Barnet is also piloting a devolved funding model for mainstream schools to support early intervention.

Victor Roman, Director of the Change Partnership Programme, highlighted initiatives within Barnet's Local Inclusion Support Offer (LISO), such as Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC), Partnerships for Inclusion Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS), and SEND Spaces. ELSEC has shown promising results in reducing referrals to specialist Speech and Language Therapy services.

Lisa Kaufman, Chair of the Barnet Parent Carer Forum, provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by families, particularly regarding wait times for diagnoses and support, and the impact on children's needs escalating. She stressed the importance of co-production and the need for adequate funding for parent carer forums.

Councillor Nigel Young raised concerns about the state of Mapledown and Oakley Schools, questioning the investment in special schools. Neil Marlow, Chief Executive of BELS, confirmed that the council is actively seeking new sites and exploring funding from the Department for Education (DfE) and Section 106 agreements.

Councillor Nigel Hudson inquired about the success rates of SEND tribunals, and it was clarified that Barnet has a strong record in winning cases at hearing, with 25 out of 34 cases won in 2025.

The committee also discussed the financial pressures on the High Needs Block, with a projected overspend of £5.94 million. The plan to resolve this deficit is heavily dependent on the forthcoming SEND White Paper from the government.

My Say Matters Youth and Democracy Report

Liz Shaw, Practice and Learning Manager, presented the My Say Matters Youth and Democracy Report for April 2024 to March 2025. The report detailed the council's youth participation activities, including the UK Youth Parliament, Barnet Youth Ambassadors, Youth Assembly, and Youth Board. The programme has seen increased engagement, with over 113 young people attending at least one event. The report highlighted the influence of young people on policy, citing examples such as Freddie Atkinson's campaign on diversifying the curriculum, which led to discussions with headteachers and the PSHE lead. The Youth Assembly has also successfully progressed motions on financial literacy, public art, and council budget consultations. The report emphasized the diverse backgrounds of participants and the commitment to ensuring inclusivity.

Barnet Financial Update

The council reported a forecast service overspend of £4.8 million for Q3, against the agreed budget. This will be met by drawing down on contingencies and reserves of £1.98 million. The Children's and Families department reported a forecast overspend of £1.224 million (1.4%), an improvement from Q2. Adverse variances were noted in corporate parenting and disability, and education strategy and planning, offset by favourable variances in health and protection. The High Needs Block is forecast to be overspent by £5.93 million.

Councillor David Longstaff questioned the significant reduction in cost pressures projected for 2027-28, and officers explained this was due to budget realignment and assumptions about inflationary pressures rather than reduced demand. Concerns were raised about the reliance on taxis for SEND transport and the potential for overcharging by private firms. The council confirmed it uses its own buses and has systems in place to manage costs with independent firms, while also working to increase in-borough SEND provision to reduce transport costs.

Cabinet Forward Plan and Task and Finish Group Updates

The committee noted the Cabinet Forward Plan for 2026 and was asked to identify any items for pre-decision scrutiny. Updates were provided on ongoing Task and Finish Groups, including the Elective Home Education, Youth Homelessness, and Discharge to Assess groups. The Barnet Young Carers Task and Finish Group's scope was formally agreed, with evidence gathering scheduled to commence in December 2025.

Barnet Learning Review

The committee moved into an exempt session to discuss the Barnet Learning Review.

Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee Work Programme

The committee noted its work programme for the upcoming year.