The Children and Young People Select Committee met on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to discuss progress on improving annual reviews for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), updates on the Families First for Children reforms, and plans for a new council-run children's home. The committee noted reports on these key areas and agreed its work programme for the upcoming meetings.

Progress on EHCP Annual Reviews

The committee received an update on actions taken to improve the annual review process for children and young people with EHCPs, following an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO). Reinhild Onuoha, Head of Integrated SEND Services, and Angela Scattergood, Director of Education, presented the report, highlighting that significant progress has been made in improving annual review practice and compliance. This includes the creation of an annual review officer post to support education settings, the implementation of Teams platforms for easier documentation return, and improved tracking and performance monitoring systems. While acknowledging that demand is high and there is still work to do, the report indicated that timeliness of notification letters to families has doubled since 2024, and nearly 50% of annual reviews due in 2026 have already been completed. The committee resolved to note the report and continue monitoring progress at six-month intervals.

Families First for Children Progress Update

Leemya McKeown, Director of Family Health and Care, and Sara Taylor, Head of Service/Principal Social Worker, presented an update on the Families First for Children reform programme. Lewisham has been a Pathfinder authority since April 2024, implementing reforms focused on earlier intervention, integrated Family Help services, and stronger multi-agency working. The report highlighted early indicators of improved front-door timeliness, reduced child protection plans, and increased use of kinship and family networks. However, challenges remain regarding consistent practice across locality teams, workforce capacity, and the long-term financial sustainability of the model beyond Pathfinder funding. The committee resolved to note the report, consider the risks and challenges, and champion partnership ownership and family-led practice.

Capital Investment for a New Children's Home

The committee discussed plans for capital investment to refurbish and operate a 5-6 bed local authority children's home at 200 Kirkdale, Sydenham. Steve Chaplin, Head of Care Resources, and Leemya McKeown presented the proposal, which aims to increase local residential provision for children in Lewisham's care and reduce reliance on expensive external placements. The previous three-home model was deemed not viable, leading to this revised proposal for a single, council-run home. The project has secured £800,000 in Department for Education grant funding, a £400,000 capital receipt, and requires an additional £479,000 in Council capital funding, bringing the total to £1.68 million. The home is expected to open in April 2028. The committee resolved to note the report.

Select Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year. Ceri Elliott-Yates, Scrutiny & Committee Officer, presented the draft programme, which includes topics such as Youth Services, SEND reform implementation, and education outcomes. The committee agreed to the agenda for its next meeting on 11 November 2026, which will focus on Youth Services, including budget proposals, the Youth Strategy, and young carers. The committee also discussed potential future topics, including the impact of the cost of living crisis on children and young people, and the use of educational data. The committee resolved to agree the agenda for its next meeting.