The Children, Families and Education Select Committee of Hillingdon Council met on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, to discuss a range of important issues concerning the borough's children and young people. Key topics scheduled for consideration included the council's budget proposals for 2026/27, performance monitoring reports, reforms to the Family First Partnership, and proposed changes to school admissions numbers. The committee also reviewed draft recommendations from a fostering review and discussed the council's care strategy for children in care and care-experienced young people.

Budget and Spending

The committee was scheduled to review the council's budget and spending, with a particular focus on the Cabinet's budget proposals for 2026/27. This included an overview of savings and growth proposals within the Children, Families & Education directorate, detailing anticipated changes in expenditure and income over the next few years. The report outlined specific savings proposals, such as a review of semi-independent and shared accommodation and the new care offer operating model, alongside growth proposals for areas like support for looked-after children and those with disabilities. The committee was also to consider the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) position, noting a projected in-year deficit driven by high needs placements, and the overall savings requirement for 2025/26, with a significant percentage reported as banked or on track for delivery.

Performance Monitoring

A six-month performance monitoring report for 2025/26 was scheduled for discussion, providing an overview of the council's performance against key indicators. The report highlighted Hillingdon's position in London regarding net expenditure per resident and detailed performance within Children's Services, noting the council's 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating for Children's Social Care despite having one of the lowest net expenditures in London. The report also touched upon placement sufficiency, youth justice expenditure, and education and early years spending, comparing Hillingdon's figures against statistical neighbours and national averages.

Family First Partnership Reforms

The committee was set to receive an update on the progress of the Family First Partnership (FFP) reforms, which are transforming how support is delivered to children and families. This included information on the launch of the locality-based Family Help Service, integrating early help and social work teams, and the development of the New Beginnings service for expectant mothers. The report also detailed the transition to a Multi-Agency Child Protection Team and a revised Stronger Families Hub, alongside the ongoing implementation of Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) and efforts to strengthen the role of education in safeguarding.

Care Strategy for Children and Care Experienced Young People

A significant item on the agenda was the review of Hillingdon's Care Strategy for children in care and care-experienced young people. This strategy, developed with input from young people and professionals, outlines the council's commitment to providing high-quality care, support, and opportunities. It is built upon core principles of supportive relationships, holistic support, advocacy and participation, continuity and stability, and aspirations and achievements. The strategy details the council's role as a corporate parent and defines what it means to be in care or care-experienced, including legal definitions and support entitlements. It also addresses vulnerabilities such as exploitation, missing children, and modern slavery, and outlines the support provided for health, education, and transition into adulthood.

Fostering Review: Draft Recommendations

The committee was to consider draft findings, conclusions, and recommendations from a review of the council's fostering provision. The review aimed to understand the needs and experiences of children in foster care, evaluate recruitment and retention strategies, identify barriers to fostering, and formulate recommendations to strengthen Hillingdon's fostering provision. The report included guidance on undertaking policy reviews and outlined the evidence gathered through witness sessions with service managers, foster carers, and care-experienced young people.

School Admissions and Age Range Changes

Two key items related to school admissions were scheduled for discussion. Firstly, proposed changes to the Published Admissions Number (PAN) for Field End Infant School were to be reviewed, with a proposal to reduce it from 90 to 60. This was linked to demographic changes and declining pupil numbers. The committee was also to note similar proposals from other schools, including Field End Junior School, St Martin's Church of England Primary School, and Park Academy West London. Secondly, the committee was to consider a proposal to lower the age range of Whiteheath Infant and Nursery School from 3-11 to 2-11, allowing them to offer places for eligible two-year-olds. This was presented as a response to increased demand for funded childcare for two-year-olds, particularly in the Ruislip area. Consultation responses and potential impacts on existing childcare settings were to be discussed.

Corporate Parenting Panel Minutes and Annual Report

The minutes of the Corporate Parenting Panel meeting from October 2025 were scheduled for review, including feedback on the Kids in Care Awards (KICA) and a trip to Snowdonia. The panel also considered the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) Annual Report 2024-25, discussing the role of IROs in advocating for children in care and the effectiveness of their challenge to the local authority. The Annual Report for Cared For Children & Fostering and Adoption 2024-25 was also to be presented, detailing statistics on children in care, care-experienced young people, adoption, and special guardianship orders.

Forward Plan and Work Programme

Finally, the committee was to review the Cabinet Forward Plan, noting future key decisions and other items to be taken by the Cabinet. This allows the committee to monitor upcoming issues within its remit and provide comments where necessary. The committee's work programme for the municipal year was also to be considered, outlining future meeting dates and the topics scheduled for discussion, including ongoing reviews and monitoring activities.