The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee met to discuss a range of important issues affecting young people in Islington, including the findings of a scrutiny review into play spaces, an update on the Family First Programme, and the Youth Services Annual Report. Key decisions included noting the witness evidence presented by Make Space for Girls and council officers regarding play needs, and noting the Youth Services Annual Report and the Quarter One Performance Report.

Scrutiny Review: Play Spaces and Services

The committee received witness evidence from Make Space for Girls and council officers concerning play spaces and services in Islington. Make Space for Girls highlighted the importance of chill-out and communal spaces for teenage girls, noting that they often feel unwelcome in traditional sports areas like skateparks and multi-use games areas (MUGAs). They presented research on the appeal of ground-level trampolines to teenagers and stressed the need for spaces where young people feel wanted and welcomed. Councillor James Potts, the borough's Reading Champion, expressed interest in their work, particularly in understanding how insights from families can be captured and integrated into co-design processes.

Council officers presented a Play Needs assessment, acknowledging that the views of young people and parents gathered were not extensive enough. They highlighted the positive impact of engagement on accessible and inclusive play equipment, citing improvements at Dalmeny Park. Officers also noted that a significant proportion of Islington households lack access to a garden, a finding that was considered a striking contextual piece of information. The committee noted the witness evidence from both Make Space for Girls and council officers.

Youth Services Annual Report

The committee reviewed the Youth Services Annual Report, which detailed ongoing work and future plans. Officers indicated they were preparing the fourth version of the impact report, due in April or May. A key focus has been ensuring accessibility for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with increased participation rates noted for this group. Islington has been selected as one of twelve local authorities to participate in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Local Youth Transformation pilot. New funding has been secured to improve youth infrastructure and workforce development, though only 15% can be spent on the frontline youth offer. The committee resolved to note the Youth Services Annual Report and requested an update on the council's involvement in the youth transformation pilot, as well as the incorporation of a section on programmes for young people with SEND in the next annual report.

Quarter One Performance Report

The Corporate Director of Children's Services presented the Quarter One Performance Report. The committee noted continued high levels of persistent absenteeism, with an overrepresentation in a few schools. Officers acknowledged that attendance was not at the desired level and its impact on attainment. They are undertaking targeted approaches to address this, including writing to the Department for Education regarding attendance at primary and secondary schools and challenging suspension policies at the City of London Academy (COLA). The report also highlighted a high suspension rate, with a disproportionality among children with SEND and in primary schools, which the committee stressed needed urgent attention. The committee resolved to note the Quarter One Performance Report and requested an investigation into incorporating data on detentions and from specialist schools and alternative provisions regarding suspensions.

Work Programme

The committee noted the 2025-26 Work Programme, which outlines future discussions including a scrutiny review draft recommendations, post-sixteen progression, school results, and performance reports.

The meeting also included a Chair's Report from Councillor Gulcin Ozdemir, who noted challenges with residents on housing estates resisting non-residents using communal play equipment. Officers were planning community engagement to emphasise the importance of play and healthy activity. The committee also noted the minutes of the previous meeting held on 4th November 2025.