The Children's Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Wandsworth Council met on Tuesday 10 February 2026 to discuss significant reports on violence against women and girls, the drivers of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), school finance, and education performance. The committee unanimously approved recommendations from the Violence Against Women and Girls Task and Finish Group and the EHCP Drivers Task and Finish Group to be submitted to Cabinet. They also noted reports on school finance and education performance, with comments to be passed to Cabinet.

Violence Against Women and Girls Task and Finish Group Report

The committee unanimously approved recommendations from the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Task and Finish Group's review. These recommendations aim to enhance the visibility and reach of VAWG prevention efforts in schools, foster a robust systems approach across agencies for prevention and early identification, and maintain ongoing engagement with survivors, particularly those from seldom-heard communities. The report highlighted that prevention is most effective when it is early, sustained, and treated as core learning, not an add-on. It also noted that online spaces mean young people can experience harmful content alone, without shared reference points, and that a sense of belonging through community activities is a protective factor. The committee was informed that Wandsworth has many prevention interventions in place, but their impact could be enhanced through increased visibility and better integration, with a need for sustainable training for frontline services. The recommendations will be submitted to Cabinet for consideration.

Drivers of EHCPs and the experiences of young people and professionals

The committee approved seven recommendations from the EHCP Drivers Task and Finish Group, which focused on improving the experiences of children, young people, and professionals navigating the EHCP process. Key recommendations include strengthening early help pathways and promoting equity, improving communication and expectations management with families, and enhancing multi-agency coordination across education, health, and social care. The group also recommended ensuring earlier and more consistent transition support, strengthening inclusive practice across the local system, identifying gaps in resource distribution, and ensuring the sufficiency of local specialist provision to reduce reliance on independent settings. These recommendations are set against a backdrop of rising EHCP requests, increasing complexity of need, and national SEND reform. The report highlighted that disadvantaged families are more likely to have children with SEND but face greater barriers to timely diagnoses and effective support.

Wandsworth Schools Finance FY 2026/27

The committee received a report on Wandsworth's schools finance for the financial year 2026/27. The report noted that nationally, the financial position of schools is precarious due to rising costs and falling pupil numbers. However, Wandsworth schools are in a stronger position than the national average, with only approximately 4% without an overall surplus. The report detailed the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocation for 2026/27, including the Schools Block, High Needs Block, and Early Years Block. A significant point of discussion was the decision by the Wandsworth Schools Forum to move 20% closer to the National Funding Formula (NFF), which will shift funding from primary to secondary schools. The committee was informed that while primary pupil numbers have been in decline, secondary numbers have also started to fall, though less than anticipated. The report also highlighted the council's proactive approach to supporting schools, including technological innovation and early identification of financial difficulties. The committee was asked to note the report and provide any comments to Cabinet.

Education Performance Report 2025-26

The committee reviewed the Education Performance Report for 2025-26, which indicated that overall performance in Wandsworth remains strong and above national and London averages across most key measures. The report highlighted that disadvantaged pupils in Wandsworth continue to outperform their national counterparts, supported by targeted programmes. Attendance is a core determinant of success, and Wandsworth's support-first multi-agency approach correlates with better outcomes, low exclusion rates, and improved performance. The report noted that while KS2 outcomes for children with an EHCP saw a dip, KS4 rankings improved. Wandsworth is ranked third nationally for the percentage of young people attending a state-funded sixth form, demonstrating an inclusive offer. The committee was informed about initiatives to address disproportionality in suspensions and exclusions, with Wandsworth's rates remaining significantly below national averages. The report also detailed efforts to support post-16 participation and lifelong learning, with 98% of young people participating in education, employment, or training. The committee was asked to note the report for information, with any comments to be passed to Cabinet.