The Children and Families Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 13 June 2024 to discuss an overview of children's services, including social care, education, and youth justice, and to review the progress of the Waltham Forest Youth Justice Service following an inspection. The committee also reviewed the committee's action tracker and forward plan.

Overview of Services

The committee received a comprehensive overview of the services provided by the Children's Directorate, encompassing Children's Social Care, Education, and Youth Justice. Daniel Phelps, Corporate Director of Children's Services, provided an overview of Children's Social Care, highlighting key facts and figures such as 17,759 requests for help and protection in 2023-24 and 296 children in care. Anne-Marie Koroma, Assistant Director for Youth and Family Resilience, introduced the youth justice service. Cheryl Eyre, Interim Corporate Director of Education, presented the education service, and Laura Butterworth, Director of Early Help and Prevention, outlined the work of young advisors and initiatives to reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG).

During the discussion on services, the committee noted that Waltham Forest has a higher number of Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plans than the national average. Eva Gunkova, Assistant Director SEND, explained that this was partly due to an identified gap in early intervention support, leading to more children requiring EHC plans. The committee also discussed the support provided to young people who have left education settings, with Mr Phelps confirming that the Virtual School supports children in care, and Ms Eyre adding that those with EHC plans can receive support until the age of twenty-five, including supported internships and college courses.

The committee raised concerns about the availability of places outside of the borough when accommodation within local developments was empty. Officers stated they were looking into this and would provide a written response. The committee also recommended that the newly formed Youth Forum should attend future Children and Families Scrutiny Committee meetings.

Regarding VAWG training, Ms Butterworth explained that officers had worked with Leyton Orient football club and local pubs to provide training and information to businesses and residents.

Waltham Forest Youth Justice Services: His Majesty's Inspectorate Probation Outcome and Action Plan

The committee reviewed the outcome of a recent inspection of the Waltham Forest Youth Justice Service (WFYJS) by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP), which rated the service as 'Requires Improvement'. Anne-Marie Koroma introduced the report, acknowledging disappointment with the areas requiring improvement and outlining the steps being taken to address the nine recommendations.

Key areas for improvement identified by HMIP included the implementation and delivery of post-court work, the robustness of case reviews, the quality of management oversight, and collaboration with partners such as children's social care and the police. The inspection also highlighted that the assessment, planning, and implementation of out-of-court disposals were rated as 'Inadequate'.

Ms Koroma explained that the WFYJS had commissioned external auditors, Spiritus Consultancy Solutions Ltd, to review case files and that recommendations from these audits were being incorporated into their action plan. A multi-agency out-of-court disposal scrutiny panel had been held, and the Youth and Family Resilience Service had been restructured. The committee was informed that staff were attending the office more frequently, and training events were being delivered face-to-face.

The committee asked about the allocation of cases to the Youth at Risk team, and Ms Koroma stated this provided staff with development opportunities and helped cover sickness, while confirming the team could make appropriate decisions. The committee was also informed that the HMIP report, which included the voice of young people, had not been shared directly with service users but was publicly available.

Metrics being used to monitor improvement include fortnightly meetings with managers to review the action plan, with a focus on home visits and the speed of assessments. The committee agreed that officers would update them on the progress of the action tracker in 12 months' time.

Committee Action Tracker and Forward Plan

Rosie Whillock, Scrutiny Policy Assistant, presented the committee's action tracker and forward plan. She noted that due to the short turnaround between meetings, not all actions had yet received responses. Councillor Kizzy Gardiner, Portfolio Lead Member for Children and Young People, highlighted that future agendas would include items on SEND, sufficiency, OFSTED, and statutory reports. The committee agreed to confirm the agenda for the next meeting at the end of each session.