The Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel met on Wednesday, 17 April 2024, to discuss several key reports concerning the well-being and education of children and young people in the borough. The panel noted reports on emotional wellbeing support, quarterly performance monitoring, elective home education, children missing education, and suspensions, exclusions, and fair access.

A Scrutiny into the Emotional Wellbeing Support for Children and Young People

The panel reviewed a report detailing findings from visits to seven schools across the Royal Borough of Greenwich¹ regarding the emotional wellbeing of children and young people. Headteachers highlighted challenges in staff recruitment and retention, particularly in socially disadvantaged areas, which impacts the consistent provision of emotional support. Concerns were also raised about student safety during commutes, with specific areas like Plumstead and Abbey Wood² noted as feeling less safe. The post-pandemic rise in mental health issues among students was exacerbated by limited access to mental health professionals, with external services like CAMHS³ operating at capacity. Social media conflicts were identified as a significant factor contributing to behavioural issues within schools. The report noted that while schools offer initiatives like parenting classes and mental health support, engagement from parents most in need remains a challenge. The distribution of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across schools was also discussed, with a suggestion for more strategic distribution to better meet their needs. The panel resolved to note the report and forward it to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel for further review.

Children's Services Quarterly Performance Monitoring Q3 2023-2024

The panel examined the quarterly performance report for Children's Services, noting a generally steady performance with specific concerns in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) plans and child protection cases. A dip in the timeliness of SEND assessments within the 20-week timeframe was attributed to staff shortages and external pressures. The panel expressed concern over an increase in children subject to a second child protection plan, with explanations suggesting large families and changes in circumstances as contributing factors. Positive improvements were noted in securing suitable accommodation for care leavers. A rise in 16-17-year-olds not in education, employment, or training (NEET) was identified as an area for further investigation, with the Head of Performance Analysis Service & Management Information Systems Service agreeing to explore the characteristics of this cohort. The panel resolved to note the report.

Elective Home Education (EHE) for Academic Years 2022-2023

A detailed report on Elective Home Education (EHE) was presented, indicating a significant rise in the number of children on the register, reaching 545. Key reasons for home education included mental health concerns, dissatisfaction with school provision for children with special needs, and school avoidance. The panel was assured that no EHE children were on child protection plans, but concerns were raised about the limited visibility of home-educated children, with current government guidance on monitoring visits deemed insufficient. Challenges in engaging parents, particularly those with their own mental health issues, were discussed. The report also touched upon religious reasons for home education and the need for greater engagement with faith communities. The difficulty in tracking the educational outcomes and future career prospects of home-educated children was also highlighted. The panel resolved to note the report.

Annual Report on Children Missing Education – Academic Year 2022-23

The Attendance Advisory Manager provided an update on challenges related to children missing education (CME), with a focus on housing mobility and temporary accommodations complicating school enrolment and attendance. The Council's proactive approach to tracking children and ensuring school placements, in collaboration with housing services, was noted. Innovative support measures in temporary accommodation, such as providing laundry facilities, were mentioned. The Attendance Advisory Manager highlighted legislative challenges due to outdated CME regulations from 2016, but anticipated improvements with new statutory school attendance guidance. The implementation of Study Bugs, a real-time attendance tracking tool, was discussed, with 90% of schools having adopted the system. The panel resolved to note the report.

Suspensions, Exclusions and Fair Access Annual Report for the Academic Year 2022-23

The Head of Virtual School and Inclusion Services presented a report focusing on the collaborative approach to supporting children at risk of exclusion, including those with SEND and those experiencing emotional school avoidance. The Inclusion Service has expanded its resources, with over 50 staff supporting vulnerable students. A significant achievement was the absence of primary school exclusions in the current academic year, and the service successfully prevented 53 out of 64 notified exclusions from becoming permanent. Multi-agency collaboration was highlighted as crucial, with initiatives like the Safe Hands program and managed moves between schools. Efforts to increase SEND provisions and reduce reliance on out-of-borough schools were also discussed, including partnerships for alternative provision and vocational programs. The panel resolved to note the report.