The Children and Families Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 14 May 2024 to discuss the Waltham Forest Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Services response to the Department for Education's SEND Improvement Plan and the All-Age Carers Strategy, focusing on young carers and their families. The committee also received an update on OFSTED's progress against its Post Focused Visit Action Plan and discussed historic abuse allegations at Whitefield School.

Whitefield School Abuse Allegations

The committee discussed the recent media coverage of historic abuse cases at Whitefield School. Mr Christopher Spencer, Interim Strategic Director - Families, clarified that staff involved had been investigated by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service, with all staff returning to the school subject to risk assessment and retraining. The police investigation was ongoing, but the investigation into staff had concluded. The Safeguarding Partnership would consider if a retrospective Serious Incident Notice (SIN) was required. Committee members were informed that OFSTED had recently visited the school and given it a clean bill of health. The committee recommended that the review of the investigation into the abuse allegations be included in the next municipal year's agenda, with an invitation extended to the school and some parents to attend. Councillor Jonathan O'Dea suggested referring the issue to the Equality and Human Rights Commission as a priority, if not already done. The committee agreed to request further information on the findings of exit interviews and permanent exclusion data.

Waltham Forest Special Educational Needs and Disability Services (SEND) Response to DfE SEND Improvement Plan

The committee reviewed the response to the Department for Education's SEND Improvement Plan. Ms Cheryl Eyre, Interim Director of Education, explained that a best practice toolkit was being developed by nine local authorities that had piloted the new Children Families Act. Ms Eva Gunkova, Assistant Director of Education, noted that the strategy had been co-produced with stakeholders and that young people had been consulted through a SEND youth forum. The committee raised concerns about Waltham Forest having a higher than national average number of children with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans in mainstream schools. Mr Spencer explained that specialist school places were limited, leading to mainstream schools accommodating more children with EHC plans. The committee also discussed delays in SEND assessments due to a shortage of psychologists and the overrepresentation of SEND children in school exclusions, with officers outlining plans to address these issues. The committee agreed to request written responses on how effectively schools integrate children with EHCPs, the effectiveness of Ordinarily Available Provision, and figures on successful Supported Internships. They also recommended including a SEND focus in future reports on school exclusions and for officers to meet more regularly with schools regarding permanent exclusions.

All-Age Carers Strategy - Young Carers and Families

Mr Saddique Ahmed, All-Age Carers Strategic Lead, presented the joint report on the All-Age Carers Strategy. The committee discussed processes for identifying young carers when patients are discharged from hospitals, with Mr Ahmed mentioning a bid for funding to support this and provide devices for those with caring duties. The strategy includes offering young carers access to activities, training, and residentials to provide respite and future life choices. The impact of caring duties on educational attainment was acknowledged, with dedicated tuition support and taster courses provided. The committee also discussed monitoring young carers' duties to prevent exploitation, with officers confirming that any child under five would not be expected to have caring duties and that assessments would identify exploitation, referring it to the safeguarding service if necessary. The committee agreed to circulate short break offers for young carers, investigate the effects of being a young carer on life chances, explore using virtual schools for young carers without a social worker, and consider a survey to estimate weekly caregiving hours.

OFSTED Progress Against the Post Focused Visit Action Plan

Mr Daniel Phelps, Director of Wellbeing and Independence, provided a brief update on the progress against the OFSTED Post Focused Visit Action Plan, highlighting improvements in the improvement infrastructure. The committee noted the update.