The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee of Islington Council met on Thursday 5 March 2026 to discuss post-16 progression for young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET), and to review school results and performance reports. Key decisions included noting the scrutiny review report and the post-16 progression report, and agreeing to note the school results report.

Scrutiny Review - Final Report

The committee discussed the final report of a scrutiny review, with Councillor Gulcin Ozdemir, Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, thanking members for their involvement and Theo McLean for his report. The committee agreed to note the report.

Post-Sixteen Progression (NEETs)

The committee received a presentation on post-16 progression, with Deputy Leader Councillor Santiago Bell-Bradford and Siobhan Scantlebury, Head of Employment Services, in attendance. The discussion focused on the challenges faced by young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET), particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), care-experienced young people, and those with mental health issues.

Concerns were raised about the difficulty in tracking young people who are not attending provision, even if they are on roll, and the potential for off-rolling by educational institutions. Councillor James Potts, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy & Planning, highlighted the importance of work experience placements and apprenticeships, asking about the follow-up for students who complete placements. Shabron Scantlebury explained that the council works to make it easy for schools and employers to support young people, particularly those with SEND.

There was a significant discussion about the definition of NEET and how to identify young people who are not in education or training, even if they are on a college roll with very low attendance. Councillor Diarmaid Ward, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families, acknowledged the complexity of the issue and the need for a more bespoke approach to support.

The committee also discussed the role of employers and the need for more data on their engagement. Councillor Potts specifically asked about the number of NEET or near-NEET young people who received work experience placements and what was being done to ensure they had the same opportunities as other young people. Councillor Praful Nargund raised concerns about the availability of diverse courses at post-16 providers like Capital City College Group and the potential for young people to travel out of borough for suitable courses.

Alison Stoker, an adolescent psychotherapist and SEND educator, spoke about the intersectionality of issues leading to children not being educated at school, including poverty, insecure housing, and parental mental health. She questioned how the council would link in with the apprenticeship levy and local businesses to create job opportunities. Councillor Michelline Safi-Ngongo, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families, acknowledged the challenges and stated that the council prioritised supporting those furthest from the labour market.

The committee noted the report on post-16 progression.

School Results 2025 - Full Report

The committee reviewed the Islington Annual Education Report 2025, which provides an overview of education in the borough from early years to post-16. Councillor Gulcin Ozdemir, Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, highlighted that while many pupils performed above national averages, challenges remained in areas such as post-pandemic attendance and persistent absence.

The report indicated that Islington pupils outperformed national peers at Key Stage 2 across all subjects, though performance was below Inner London. However, primary school absence and persistent absence rates had increased and remained above comparator rates. At Key Stage 4, Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores improved and were above national but below Inner London. Secondary school absence and persistent absence also increased and remained above comparator rates.

Councillor Paul Convery, Executive Member for Finance, noted that the data presented had a lag and that more recent figures for term three showed an increase in attendance compared to the previous year. Councillor Saiqa Pandor, Executive Member for Communities & Partnerships, acknowledged the frustration regarding attendance and exclusions, stating that investment had been made and that improvements were cumulative.

There was a strong discussion about school exclusions and suspensions, with concerns raised about children not receiving an education when removed from the classroom, particularly those with undiagnosed SEND or waiting for EHCP assessments. Councillor Diarmaid Ward, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families, acknowledged the concerns and stated that the council was working to improve attendance and reduce suspensions and exclusions.

The committee discussed the performance of different ethnic groups and the impact of socio-economic factors on educational outcomes. Councillor Ernestas Jegorovas-Armstrong argued that the issue was not solely about cohorts but about schools not addressing the needs of underprivileged children.

The committee also discussed the importance of reading for pleasure and the role of libraries. Councillor James Potts, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy & Planning, asked about initiatives to boost Key Stage 2 attainment and reading for pleasure. Councillor Gulcin Ozdemir, Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, responded by highlighting the importance of phonics and early intervention, while also acknowledging the need to foster a love of reading.

The committee noted the report.

Quarter Two Performance Report

The committee reviewed the Quarter Two 2025/26 Performance Report for Children and Young People. Officers advised that post-16 data was difficult to obtain due to the absence of an attendance duty. Regarding child protection plans, it was noted that older children and girls were the most challenging cohort to support, requiring ongoing monitoring and intervention to help them recognise risks outside the home. The committee noted the report.

Work Programme

The committee discussed its work programme for the remainder of the year. The final scheduled meeting before the election was noted as being on 23 April 2026. The committee agreed to note the report.