Joanne Dempster

Children's Services Scrutiny Panel - Tuesday, 22 September 2026

Children's Services Scrutiny Panel - Tuesday, 7 July 2026 7.00 pm

The Children's Services Scrutiny Panel of Ealing Council met on Tuesday 07 July 2026 to discuss the operational framework for the upcoming year, alongside updates on key programmes aimed at improving outcomes for children and families. Discussions were scheduled to cover the Families First Partnership Programme and the Best Start in Life initiative, with a focus on their progress, impact, and future implementation.

Children's Services Scrutiny Panel - Thursday, 26 February 2026 7.00 pm

The Children's Services Scrutiny Panel was scheduled to review the annual reports of the Ealing Safeguarding Children Partnership and the Ealing Race Equality Commission's progress on education. The panel was also set to discuss education outcomes for care leavers, care options for children, and previous panel recommendations.

Children's Services Scrutiny Panel - Tuesday, 25 November 2025 7.00 pm

The Children's Services Scrutiny Panel were scheduled to discuss SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) performance and the council's Early Help Strategy at their meeting. The discussion of SEND performance included progress following a Local Government Association (LGA) peer challenge review[^2], the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) review process, criteria for placements in Additionally Resourced Provisions (ARPs) and special schools, children on reduced timetables, pathways for early intervention, and community involvement. The Early Help Strategy discussion included a revised Children's Centre and outreach offer.

Children's Services Scrutiny Panel - Thursday, 2 October 2025 7.00 pm

The Ealing Council's Children's Services Scrutiny Panel met on 2 October 2025 to discuss the council's response to the government's national children's social care agenda, the Families First Partnership Program, and the role of the LBE SAFE teams and early intervention in supporting children at risk of entering care. The panel also agreed to the co-option of Ms Sharde Hurd as an education representative and scheduled a site visit to allow panel members to become better acquainted with the work of Children's Services.