The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, to discuss the Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process and receive an update on housing matters. Key decisions included agreeing the final report and recommendations for the EHCP process review and noting the progress made in housing, particularly in reducing temporary accommodation and addressing rough sleeping.

In-Depth Scrutiny Review: The Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Process

The committee reviewed the findings of an in-depth scrutiny of the EHCP process, which identified significant pressures due to increased demand and complexity of needs. The review involved extensive consultation with parents, carers, headteachers, health partners, and council teams. Nine recommendations were made, focusing on improving communication and technology, enhancing co-production with parents, and strengthening performance reporting. The committee agreed to the final review paper and recommendations, and requested that the Commissioning Director for Education develop an action plan for implementation, with a progress update to be provided in six months.

Key themes emerging from the review included:

• Communication: Parents reported significant difficulties in contacting the EHCP team, with limited responses and a lack of clear points of contact. This was exacerbated by a lack of effective case management systems and a perceived lack of empathy.
• Timescales: The EHCP process frequently exceeded statutory timelines, with parents often given unrealistic deadlines and experiencing long delays in receiving responses or having their EHCPs transferred from other boroughs.
• Support: Parents felt unsupported in navigating the complex EHCP application process, with some resorting to social media for advice due to unclear guidance and a lack of assistance from schools or the EHCP team.
• Demand and Capacity: The service faced increasing demand, with a significant rise in EHCP requests and a high number of families moving into the borough with existing plans. This, coupled with staff turnover and a lack of increased resources since 2021, placed considerable strain on the EHCP team and related services like Educational Psychology and health partners.
• Co-production: There was a recognised need to improve co-production with parents to ensure EHCPs better suit the needs of children and young people, and to foster a closer working relationship with neighbouring boroughs through a tri-borough system.
• Specialist Provision: While the council has invested in creating new specialist places, demand continues to outstrip supply, leading to delays in securing appropriate placements and increased pressure on schools.

The committee was also updated on the national SEND reforms outlined in the Schools White Paper, noting that the council's recommendations would still be relevant within the context of these proposed changes.

Housing Update on Priority 7 (Good Housing/Prevention of Homelessness)

The committee received an update on Priority 7 of the Corporate Plan, focusing on housing and the prevention of homelessness. The report highlighted progress in several key areas, alongside areas requiring further attention.

Key areas discussed included:

• Tenant Satisfaction: A new telephone-based survey methodology, aligned with other London boroughs, showed an overall tenant satisfaction rate of 62%, identical to the London average. While satisfaction with repairs and home safety was strong, areas for improvement were identified in keeping tenants informed and in the approach to anti-social behaviour (ASB). The report noted a significant difference in satisfaction levels based on age, with older residents generally more satisfied.
• Homelessness Prevention: Performance in homelessness prevention remained strong, with 259 households prevented from becoming homeless by January, exceeding the annual target of 260. This, combined with the delivery of new homes, has contributed to relatively low numbers in temporary accommodation.
• Rough Sleeping: The number of rough sleepers had edged upwards throughout the year, with a statutory count in December identifying 16 individuals. The report noted that approximately 60% of those identified had no recourse to public funds, making accommodation more challenging. The new Housing Strategy includes a commitment to reducing rough sleeping to zero by 2031, with plans to establish a Housing First model.
• Temporary Accommodation: Significant progress has been made in reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation, with numbers falling below 1,000. A particular focus was placed on reducing the number of family connection households in Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation for extended periods. Actions taken, including enhancing payments for Private Sector Leased (PSL) properties and utilising nightly paid self-contained properties, have led to a substantial reduction in B&B placements, with unlawful placements (over six weeks) reduced to three by the end of February.
• Decent Homes: The report indicated that 9.2% of the council's housing stock failed to meet the Decent Homes standard, a figure that has remained stable. An action plan is being developed to address this, including programmes for replacement windows and roofs.
• Private Rented Sector (PRS): Approximately 24% of homes in the borough are in the PRS. Licensing schemes are in place to improve standards, with over 7,870 selective licence applications received to date. The council is also enhancing its enforcement service to protect tenants' safety and address issues like overcrowding and ASB. The Renters Reform Act 2025, which ends no-fault evictions, was also noted, with two new Tenancy Relations Officer posts created to support this transition.
• Downsizing: The council is seeing renewed interest in downsizing schemes, with a dedicated officer leading the project. This initiative is seen as a motivator for tenants and a way to free up larger family homes.

The committee also discussed specific concerns raised by councillors regarding selective licensing, overcrowding figures, the percentage of social rent in new developments, and the conditions in hostels. The council acknowledged the need for further analysis on some of these points and committed to providing more detailed information.