The Children and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Thursday 7 December 2023 to discuss the delivery of the universal free school meals policy and to review sixth form performances and SEND provisions. Key decisions and discussions included the positive impact of the universal free school meals initiative, challenges and improvements in sixth form education, and the growing demand and provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Free School Meals for All Children

The committee reviewed the delivery of the universal free school meals policy, which was launched in September 2023. Approximately 8,500 students are benefiting daily from this initiative, with an estimated annual saving of £550 per child. The policy, a commitment from the Mayor and part of the council's strategic plan, is unique in the country. While overall feedback from students, parents, and teachers has been positive, with observed increases in meal uptake and improved behaviour due to reduced hunger, some challenges were noted. These included concerns about portion sizes, the variety of options available, and food wastage.

A significant discussion point was the auto-enrolment project, which identified 824 pupils who were eligible for free school meals but had not registered, bringing an additional £1.1 million into school budgets and ensuring these pupils benefit from other support such as uniforms and holiday funds. Concerns were raised by headteachers about the potential reduction in pupil premium funding if parents stopped applying for free school meals, but the auto-enrolment project has mitigated this risk.

Further discussions highlighted that sixth formers are not currently included in the universal free school meals provision, and while there is a Mayor's EMA available, this is a point for potential future consideration due to financial pressures. Feedback from students indicated a desire for more flexibility in meal deals, with some finding the current options limited. The council is working with Newcastle University and other research groups to evaluate the impact of the policy on dietary intake, food insecurity, and educational outcomes.

Sixth Form Performances

The committee reviewed the performance of sixth forms across the borough, noting that while A-level attainment is currently lower than the national average, performance in applied general and technical qualifications is stronger. A particular concern is that a higher proportion of young people with level three qualifications are not continuing into education, employment, or training (NEET) compared to national averages. Furthermore, fewer young people are progressing to highly selective Russell Group universities.

The presentation also highlighted the challenges faced by students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in accessing appropriate post-16 education and training. While there are positive initiatives, such as the introduction of an apprenticeship program for young people with SEND and the success of supported internships, there is a recognized shortage of sub-level two vocational programs in sixth forms. The council is undertaking a review of the post-16 offer to address these issues, focusing on student voice and ensuring a broader curriculum that meets specific needs.

Concerns were also raised about the difficulty young people face in securing work experience, with some waiting up to 18 months for placements, particularly those considering medicine. The impact of defunded P-TECH nationals from 2025 was also highlighted as a potential challenge. The issue of student loans and their compatibility with faith, particularly within the Muslim community, was also raised as a factor that may influence higher education choices.

SEND and Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) Update

The meeting provided an update on SEND provisions and transport, focusing on EHCP forecasting and demand management. The council is experiencing an exponential increase in children with SEND, particularly those with EHCPs, with current numbers at 4,406 and projected to rise to 6,750 by 2028. The largest areas of need are speech, language and communication difficulties, autism, social, emotional and mental health (SEMH), and severe learning difficulties (SLD), particularly within mainstream schools.

Significant investment has been made in the SEND service to address these challenges, leading to improved timeliness of EHCP assessments, now exceeding national averages. However, challenges remain in obtaining timely advice from health colleagues, particularly therapy services. The quality of EHCPs has improved, but inconsistencies persist, with a focus on co-production with children, families, and stakeholders, and ensuring SMART outcomes.

To mitigate rising demand, the council is developing an inclusion framework to set a standard for inclusion in mainstream schools and is working on coordinated early identification and intervention. A Send Front Door system is being developed to ensure access to universal and targeted support. A peer review highlighted strengths in leadership and governance, with a clear commitment to improving the lives of children and young people, and success in securing external funding. However, recommendations include making the SEND improvement board more strategic and co-producing a concise revised SEND strategy.

Discussions also touched upon the challenges of placing children in the most appropriate settings, the funding for one-to-one support, and the significant shortage of speech and language therapists. The council is exploring expanding specialist provision and placements, with a focus on ensuring children are placed in the most appropriate setting for their needs. The importance of engaging families, particularly hard-to-reach ones, and raising awareness of the local offer and available services was emphasized. The council is also working to improve the measurement of young person satisfaction with their EHCPs and provision.