The Children and Education Scrutiny Subcommittee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Thursday 2 September 2021 to discuss the mental health and emotional well-being of young people, the SEND inspection outcome, and the Children's Safeguarding Partnership annual report. Key discussions included the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people's mental health, the findings and next steps from a recent SEND inspection, and the progress and priorities of the local safeguarding partnership.

Impact of COVID-19 on Young People's Mental Health

The subcommittee received an update on the mental health and emotional well-being of children and young people in Tower Hamlets, highlighting it as a top priority for the partnership. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing needs, with young people reporting increased isolation, anxiety, stress related to education, and concerns about future employment prospects. Familial stress, domestic abuse, and parental mental health issues have also contributed to these challenges, alongside limited access to face-to-face support services during the pandemic.

Young people shared their experiences, detailing increased insomnia, depression, and feelings of isolation. They emphasised the importance of social connections and the detrimental impact of reduced face-to-face learning and social interaction. Recommendations included investing in more online resources and platforms for young people to connect with professionals and each other, similar to services like Babylon Health. The need for guidance and support to help young people readjust to pre-pandemic life was also stressed, with suggestions for increased provisions in schools and youth services.

Dr. Helen Jones, a local GP and advocate for young people, presented on the Healthspot initiative, a GP clinic embedded within youth provision at Spotlight. This service aims to remove barriers to accessing care by offering appointments at times convenient for young people and providing a comfortable, trusted environment. Healthspot collaborates with youth workers, mental health counsellors, and other support services to offer holistic care. The discussion highlighted challenges faced by young people in navigating services, particularly the transition from child to adult services, and the difficulties under-18s face in accessing GP services virtually. The initiative is being advocated for at a national level to address these systemic issues.

The subcommittee discussed the importance of addressing the legacy of lockdown and proactively supporting young people's return to normality. Concerns were raised about the potential for a culture shock and the need for a phased return to school and work with adequate guidance and support. The issue of stigma surrounding mental health, particularly within ethnic minority communities, was also highlighted, with a call for increased awareness among parents to encourage them to seek support for their children.

The discussion also touched upon the academic pressures faced by current Year 13 students who have missed GCSEs and AS levels, and the anxieties surrounding upcoming A-level exams and university transitions. The need for schools and sixth-form colleges to provide support for this cohort was emphasised.

SEND Inspection and Next Steps

James Thomas, Corporate Director for Children and Culture, provided an update on the local area inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The report, expected soon, will detail strengths and weaknesses identified during the inspection. The council and CCG have already identified key areas for improvement, including the quality of Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, strengthening speech and language therapy provision, reducing waiting times for autism diagnoses, and improving communication with parents about available support services and local offer improvements.

Councillor Andrew Wood raised concerns about the low percentage of EHC plans completed within statutory timescales (6% in Tower Hamlets compared to 62% in London and 58% nationally). James Thomas acknowledged this as unacceptable and attributed it to under-resourcing and staff absence. He confirmed that a recovery plan has been implemented, increasing team resources, and that performance has significantly improved, with 41% of assessments now completed within timescales, though further improvement is needed.

Councillor Gabriela Salva Macallan inquired about the committee's engagement in the process and the high needs funding block. It was noted that the high needs block faces significant overspends nationally, with Tower Hamlets having an accumulated deficit approaching £12 million. A recovery plan is being refreshed, and discussions are ongoing with the Department for Education. While the deficit is substantial, it is considered average for a local authority of its size. An increase in the high needs block allocation this year is expected to ease pressure, and no further overspend is forecast for the current year.

Children's Safeguarding Partnership Annual Report

Keith Makin, the independent scrutineer for the local partnership, presented on the Children's Safeguarding Partnership annual report. He commended the partnership's response to COVID-19, particularly the establishment of fortnightly meetings to address immediate pandemic-related issues. The report highlights the partnership's effective operation as a learning system, with completed rapid reviews into serious incidents and the initiation of multi-agency quality audits. Data indicates that Tower Hamlets provides effective support to families in most circumstances, with relatively low numbers of children in care or subject to protection plans.

Key priorities for the coming year include addressing domestic abuse, online safety, and vulnerability to violence and exploitation. The partnership aims to strengthen multi-agency training and wider partnership engagement. Mr. Makin noted that while the partnership is maturing, there is a need to further strengthen the training profile and the scrutiny of practice, particularly the link between the subcommittee and the partnership for internal challenge. The appointment of three young scrutineers (aged 14-18) is seen as an exciting development to enhance independent scrutiny and amplify the voices of children and young people.

Councillor Andrew Wood raised concerns about the timeliness of serious case reviews, citing legacy cases dating back several years. James Thomas assured the committee that future reviews will be conducted more swiftly, with the first two local learning reviews completed within eight months. He acknowledged the disappointment regarding the delays in legacy cases and committed to demonstrating improved performance.

The subcommittee discussed the importance of a balanced approach to safeguarding, considering data, quality assurance, and the voices of children, young people, and parents. A recommendation was made to establish a regular data dashboard for the committee to monitor key indicators and identify potential issues proactively. The committee also expressed interest in hearing from the young scrutineers once they are appointed and have had time to embed in their roles.