The Children, Education and Families Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 18 March 2026, was set to cover a wide range of topics concerning the well-being and development of children and young people in Bromley. Key areas for discussion included updates on the Children, Education and Families Portfolio Plan, budget monitoring, and the capital programme. The committee was also scheduled to review the Bromley Virtual School Annual Report, the Children, Education and Families Risk Register, and performance data for children's services. Additionally, significant policy development items were on the agenda, including a deep dive into the disadvantage gap in education outcomes and the education outcomes for children in Bromley schools.

Children, Education and Families Portfolio Plan Q3 Update

Councillor Kate Lymer, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Families, was scheduled to provide an update on the Children, Education and Families Portfolio Plan for the third quarter of the 2025/26 academic year. This update was intended to inform the committee about the progress made against the plan's objectives, which focus on five priority outcomes: safeguarding, affordable and secure homes, life chances and wellbeing, effective multi-agency working, and efficiency and effectiveness. Key highlights from the quarter were expected to be presented, covering areas such as early years provision, electively home-educated children, youth services, and initiatives to tackle loneliness.

Budget Monitoring 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to review the budget monitoring position for the Children, Education and Families Portfolio for the 2025/26 financial year, based on data up to the end of December 2025. The report indicated a projected overspend of £2,183,000 on the controllable budget. Significant variances were expected to be discussed within the Education division, particularly concerning SEN Transport, Education Psychologists, and SEN and Inclusion staffing. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) was also a major focus, with a projected in-year overspend of £16,995,000, which would be added to existing reserves. The report was also set to detail the full-year effect of cost pressures into the 2026/27 financial year, estimated at £3,363,000.

Capital Programme Monitoring - Quarter 3 2025/26

A report was scheduled to provide an update on the capital expenditure and receipts for the Children, Education and Families portfolio following the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. This update was to reflect changes agreed by the Executive on 11 February 2026, including the re-phasing of £13,185,000 from 2025/26 and 2026/27 into future financial years. A significant addition to the capital programme was a supplementary estimate of £9,044,000 for the Basic Need scheme. The report was also to include post-completion summaries for various projects, such as the Transforming Children & Family Centres initiative.

Award of Contract for Capital Works at Hawes Down Primary School - Part 1 (Public) Report

The committee was to consider a report recommending the award of a contract for capital works at Hawes Down Primary School. These works are intended to improve facilities for children with SEN places and create a new link block between the infant and junior buildings. The report was to outline the statutory responsibilities of the Council regarding SEN provision and detail the procurement process undertaken, which followed an Open Tender procedure in compliance with the Procurement Act 2023. The proposed award of contract was contingent on the school receiving planning consent for the development.

Bromley Virtual School Annual Report 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to receive the annual report from the Bromley Virtual School for the 2024/25 academic year. This report was intended to provide an update on the school's performance and its contribution to the Corporate Parenting Strategy. Key areas for discussion were expected to include school placements, PEP compliance and quality, the use of Pupil Premium funding, attendance and behaviour, educational outcomes, and work with previously looked-after children and children with a social worker. The report was also to highlight the Virtual School's training offer and the effectiveness of its leadership and management.

Children, Education and Families Contracts Register

This report was to present an extract from the February 2026 Contracts Register, detailing contracts with a whole life value of £50,000 or higher within the Children, Education and Families portfolio. The committee was asked to review and comment on this register, which serves as a vital tool for understanding the Council's procurement activity and for contract managers in their daily responsibilities. The report was to include a summary of active contracts, flagged contracts of concern, and risk index information.

Children, Education and Families Risk Register - 2025/26 Update

The committee was scheduled to review an update to the Children, Education and Families Risk Register for 2025/26. This register identifies, analyses, and controls risks that could impact the Council's ability to achieve its priorities and objectives. The report was to outline the high-level departmental risks, including those related to financial strategy, service delivery, recruitment and retention, emergency planning, school place planning, SEND transport, SEND reforms, youth offending, out-of-borough placements, speech and language therapy, and school attendance. Updates on the controls in place to mitigate these risks and any further actions required were to be detailed.

Performance Reporting - Children's Scrutiny Dataset Part 1 (Public) Report

This report was to provide the committee with a regular update on the performance of services for children, using a suite of key performance indicators as at the end of December 2025. The dataset was designed to act as a 'health check' on key areas of service delivery, enabling scrutiny and enquiry from elected members. The report was to include management commentary on indicators performing below expectation, such as the percentage of children becoming subject to a second or subsequent Child Protection Plan, the number of in-house foster households recruited, and the stability of placements for Children Looked After.

Education Outcomes for Children in Bromley Schools 2024/25

The committee was to receive a summary of the 2024/25 education outcomes for children attending Bromley schools. This report draws on statutory teacher assessments, tests, and examinations across early years, primary, and secondary phases, with comparisons to national and regional data. Key areas for discussion were expected to include attainment at Early Years Foundation Stage, Phonics Screening Check results, Key Stage 2 attainment, Key Stage 4 Attainment 8 scores, and post-16 outcomes. The report was also to highlight differing attainment levels among pupils with various characteristics, including gender, Free School Meal eligibility, and ethnic background, with a particular focus on the 'disadvantage gap'.

Deep Dive: The Disadvantage Gap in Education Outcomes

This report was intended as an addendum to the 'Education Outcomes for Children in Bromley Schools 2024-25' report, providing further information on the activity in Bromley aimed at addressing educational disadvantage gaps. It was to offer a more detailed analysis of how Bromley is working to narrow the gap in educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils across all key stages, building on the data presented in the main outcomes report.

The meeting also included items marked for Part 2 (Closed) agenda, which would involve the exclusion of the press and public due to the likely disclosure of exempt information. These items included exempt minutes and further reports related to contract awards and performance data.