The Children, Families, Health & Care Select Committee of Hillingdon Council met on Tuesday 23 June 2026 to receive service briefings, discuss the Corporate Parenting Panel's work and membership, and review the Cabinet Forward Plan and the committee's work programme. Key discussions included an overview of children's and adult social care services, the appointment of members to the Corporate Parenting Panel, and the development of the committee's future work programme, which will focus on a major review of Pharmacy First services and a minor review of either child immunisations or the London Ambulance Service.

Service Briefings

Corporate Directors Julie Kelly (Children's Services) and Sandra Taylor (Adult Social Care and Health) provided comprehensive overviews of their respective departments.

Julie Kelly outlined the structure of Children's Services, detailing the responsibilities of directors overseeing Children's Social Care, Safeguarding and Care, and Education and SEND. She explained the new locality-based Family First Partnership Program, the role of the Stronger Families Hub, and services such as Youth Justice, Adolescent Services, and Care Support and Transitions. Alex Coleman's responsibilities in Safeguarding and Care were also detailed, including multi-agency safeguarding arrangements and the provision of care services like kinship, fostering, and adoption. Abby Preston's remit in Education and SEND covered assessment, advisory services, and wider educational provision.

Sandra Taylor presented the Adult Social Care and Health services, highlighting a focus on prevention, early intervention, and supporting independent living. She detailed the four workstreams led by assistant directors: Immediate Response, Sustained Support, Direct Care and Provider Development, and Commissioning and Business Delivery, alongside the statutory Public Health function. Key services discussed included addiction recovery, mental health assessments, safeguarding inquiries, reablement services, and support for individuals with learning disabilities and sensory impairments. The significant number of care providers in the borough and the council's role in quality assurance were also noted.

Corporate Parenting Panel Update and Membership

Councillor Jan Sweeting shared positive experiences from attending Corporate Parenting Panel meetings, emphasizing the value of hearing directly from young people in the council's care. The committee then formally appointed its representatives to the Corporate Parenting Panel for the 2026-27 municipal year. Councillor Ekta Gohil was appointed Chair of the Panel, with Councillor Jane Palmer as Vice-Chair. Councillors Gohil, Palmer, and Sweeting were appointed as permanent elected members, with Councillors Garner, Taneja, and Farinha De Castro appointed as named substitutes, ensuring political balance. The committee also noted the Panel's Terms of Reference.

Cabinet Forward Plan

The committee reviewed the Cabinet Forward Plan, noting that the Age-Friendly Plan had been deferred to the July Cabinet meeting. Councillor Sweeting raised concerns about the timing of the committee's meeting relative to upcoming Cabinet decisions on health-related contracts and policies, such as public health contracts and healthier food advertising policies. Nikki O'Halloran, Democratic Services Manager, confirmed that the committee's meeting predated the publication of the July Cabinet agenda and that updates would be provided on revised forward plans.

Work Programme

Councillor Gohil proposed a structure for the committee's work programme, suggesting a combination of major and minor reviews to manage the workload effectively. Councillor Jane Palmer suggested that Pharmacy First be undertaken as a major review, and the London Ambulance Service as a minor review. Councillor Sweeting raised the importance of continuing to monitor SEND reforms, school capacity, and the delivery of mental health services for children, suggesting these be considered as information items rather than major reviews. Following further discussion, it was agreed that Nikki O'Halloran would bring back scoping reports for two minor review topics, and the committee would decide on these at a later date. Pharmacy First was confirmed as the major review topic. Councillor Taneja suggested child immunisations as a minor review, while Councillor Draw highlighted concerns regarding the London Ambulance Service. Nikki O'Halloran confirmed that the London Ambulance Service had not been previously reviewed and could be a valuable topic. Ultimately, the committee agreed to proceed with Pharmacy First as the major review and requested scoping reports for the minor review options. The committee also noted that financial oversight of budgets would now be handled by the Audit Committee.

The meeting concluded with the committee noting the Cabinet Forward Plan and agreeing its work programme for the upcoming year.