The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Merton Council met on 1 October 2024 to discuss departmental updates, performance monitoring, and strategies for school places and early years provision. Key discussions included the ongoing development of the Children and Young People's Plan 2024-2028, performance against key indicators, and the challenges and strategies related to school place planning and early years education.

Cabinet Member Priorities

Councillor Sally Kenny, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Education, outlined her priorities to the panel. These included the establishment of a new free school to increase educational opportunities within Merton and the development of 19+ learning programmes to help residents gain qualifications and improve employment prospects.

Departmental Update

Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, Assistant Director for Education and Early Help, presented an update on behalf of Bev Hendricks, the new Executive Director for Children, Lifelong Learning and Families. The update highlighted the new Children and Young People's Plan 2024-2028, developed in partnership with young people, which sets out priorities across six outcome areas: Being Healthy, Staying Safe, Enjoying and Achieving, Getting Involved, Having a Say, Supporting Futures, and My Merton. The panel was informed of recent Ofsted inspections in Merton schools and the extension of the deadline for spending family hub transformation funding until March 2025, with Merton also applying for additional funding for family hubs. Discussions also covered feedback on the cost and accessibility of after-school clubs, the effectiveness of PSHCE programmes in schools, the national thresholds for discontinuing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and the potential for providing data on therapist and Educational Psychologist vacancies. The panel was also informed about work with young people to demonstrate that their concerns have been actioned, with the Youth Parliament producing content to share with their peers. Youth centres are available to assist young people in finding part-time jobs, and play parks are being developed. Officers will confirm the continuation of the Children and Young People's Social Prescribing pilot and provide data on EHCP needs assessments and the percentage of EHCPs issued.

Performance Monitoring

Tom Procter, Head of Contracts and School Organisation, presented the performance monitoring report, noting that the majority of indicators were green. In response to questions, it was discussed that the number of care leavers not in education, employment, or training (NEET) might be low due to a summer dip, but Merton's performance remains strong compared to previous years. The council is proud that some care leavers are now employed by the council. Virtual schools, personal advisors, and pathway planners are available to support care leavers. Childcare reviews for Looked After Children occur every six months, with Independent Reviewing Officers striving to meet timescales. Reviews can be conducted in person or hybridly. The percentage of children aged 0-5 from deprived areas accessing children's centre services is 84%, comparable to previous years, with the 2022/23 score of 47% being impacted by COVID-19. Merton aims to recruit more foster carers and is exploring various advertising approaches. The council is continuously seeking better recruitment methods and working with other local authorities. The report also addressed the classification of suitable accommodation for care leavers, which can include custody, sofa surfing, or unknown status. Foster carers receive training, and monitoring of children in the care system is mandatory. The panel was informed that data on foster carer applicants over the last 10 years and their success rates would be confirmed, and a five-year report could be shared.

School Places Planning Strategy

Tom Procter introduced the School Places Planning Strategy, noting that the situation remains largely unchanged from the previous year. There has been a decrease in demand for primary school places since 2016, leading to the closure of Stanford Primary School, with school closures being a last resort. While Merton's secondary school applicant numbers have reduced, overall Year 7 numbers have been maintained due to increased numbers in neighbouring boroughs and higher retention rates of Merton residents in Merton schools, with retention from Year 6 to Year 7 increasing from 75% to 87%. The council has established an additional resourced provision at Liberty School to replace the provision at the closed Stanford School. In response to questions, it was confirmed that the number of children with special needs in Merton mirrors the national picture, with schools receiving additional funding and support for these children. Schools have £6,000 to support children with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) but not an EHCP, and Merton has an Ordinarily Available Provision policy. Schools are finding inventive ways to utilise space due to reduced class sizes, such as renting space to the Merton Music Foundation or creating specialist rooms. The potential impact of the government's VAT policy on private schools was discussed, with an estimated 3-7% reduction in private school attendance, leading to a minor increase in demand for state schools, which would be welcomed given the current drop in demand. Flexible provision is available for teenage mothers, supported by community health providers and national schemes.

Early Years Education and Childcare Provision in Merton

Officers presented a report on early years education and childcare provision, noting the previous government's policy to expand childcare for under-5s. The new government has maintained this commitment, with full implementation by September 2025. Merton is awaiting further announcements, including policies for breakfast clubs. While the number of childminders has declined, the childcare market is expected to respond to demand, with a potential recovery post-COVID-19 and a recent growth in applications. The inclusion fund for providers to support children with low and emerging SEND needs is a statutory requirement and Merton's fund is considered generous. A Supporting Families Employment Advisor is in post until March 2025, with funding for the role post-March awaiting announcement; if unfunded, the service can be linked with 'Employ Merton'. The report highlighted that Merton has sufficient childcare to meet current and predicted demand, though supply and demand can vary by ward. Live birth rates and ONS population estimates for under-5s continue to decline. The childcare market remains stable for group care settings and school nursery classes, but the number of childminders is decreasing nationally. However, more childminders are registering to deliver funded early education and childcare entitlements. Workforce recruitment and retention challenges are impacting childcare availability, and Merton is promoting the government's 'Do Something Big Campaign'. 100% of PVI group care providers and 49% of childminders are registered to deliver funded places, with an increase in childminder registrations expected. The rollout of childcare reforms is progressing, with over 600 eligible 2-year-olds accessing funded places in summer term 2024. The report also detailed the Early Years Advisory Service's support for providers to improve quality and inclusivity, with 12 settings previously judged as less than 'Good' achieving a 'Good' grade. The Early Years Inclusion and Ordinarily Available Service supports settings to improve outcomes for children with SEND.

Sport and PE Provision for Pupils Attending Merton Schools

Elizabeth Fitzpatrick introduced the report on sport and PE provision, highlighting Merton's commitment in conjunction with the Merton School Sports Partnerships. The panel noted the positive range of sports provision offered. In response to questions, it was confirmed that Merton will investigate why only 54% of children can swim 25m by Year 6, potentially due to schools not reporting data. Officers will verify statistics on free swimming lessons for over-65s. The higher uptake in Morden compared to Wimbledon for free swimming lessons is hypothesised to be due to catchment areas. Some schools face transport challenges for swimming sessions but ensure at least one year group per year has the opportunity. While the number of children representing their primary/special school has decreased, work is ongoing to ensure children retain necessary skills if funding decreases. Merton has not observed a dip in extracurricular activities, and is working with primary schools on 'wraparound care programmes', acknowledging that many schools would offer more but face challenges with staff utilisation and rely on goodwill.

Work Programme

The panel requested an update on the self-harm/eating disorders task group to be brought forward, with CAMHS to be invited to speak on the topic. The misogyny topic is being expanded to include the radicalisation of young people and sexual violence. Officers are considering whether Merton has sufficient data to produce a report on child poverty.

The meeting was attended by Councillors Michael Butcher (Chair), Samantha MacArthur (Vice-Chair), Joan Henry, Linda Kirby MBE, Chessie Flack, Jil Hall, Caroline Charles, Franca Ofeimu, Shuile Syeda, and Andrew Howard. Councillor Sally Kenny, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Education, and Councillor Usaama Kaweesa, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, were also present. Officers included Elizabeth Fitzpatrick (Assistant Director for Education and Early Help), Tom Procter (Head of Contracts & School Organisation), Sukpal Uppal, Ishaal Mahmood, Allison Jones, Clare Dudman, David Michael, and Christina Pace. Apologies were received from Councillor James Williscroft, Councillor Max Austin, and Bev Hendricks.