The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the final report of a scrutiny review, post-16 progression for young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), and school results. Key decisions included noting the scrutiny review report and agreeing to incorporate further data on employers into future reporting.

Scrutiny Review - Final Report

The committee discussed the final report of a scrutiny review, with thanks extended to members for their involvement in evidence gathering sessions and to Theo McLean for compiling the report. The committee was asked to note the report, and there were no significant amendments proposed.

Post-16 Progression (NEETs)

The committee received a presentation on post-16 progression, with a focus on young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs). Councillor Santiago Bell-Bradford, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Inclusive Economy, Culture & Jobs, and Shabron's Scanto Berry were in attendance. The presentation highlighted trends and data pertaining to Islington residents, with a note that some data included young people attending Islington schools who may not be residents.

A significant portion of the discussion revolved around identifying and supporting NEETs, particularly those who are need not known or whose attendance is poor. Concerns were raised about the accountability of colleges and alternative provision providers in reporting attendance and identifying young people who are not engaged. Councillor Praful Nargund questioned the follow-up mechanisms for children post-16 who are not attending provision, especially those who are off-rolling from educational institutions. The committee explored the definition of NEET and how the council identifies these individuals.

Discussions also touched upon the importance of work experience placements and apprenticeships, with a request for more data on the number of NEETs participating in these opportunities. Councillor Ilkay Cinko-Oner suggested including more data on employers in future reports to allow for better scrutiny. The role of anchor institutions, such as Capital City College Group, in providing a broad range of courses was also discussed, alongside the challenges of ensuring young people are on the right courses and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on future employment.

Alison Stoker, an adolescent psychotherapist and educator, highlighted the intersectionality of issues contributing to children not being in education, such as poverty, insecure housing, and parental mental ill health. She questioned how the council would leverage the apprenticeship levy and engage local businesses to create job opportunities for young people.

The committee was informed that while the council works to support young people into employment, the data collection and reporting mechanisms for attendance and engagement in post-16 education, particularly from colleges, present challenges. The council acknowledged the need for more robust tracking and accountability from educational providers.

School Results 2025 - Full Report

The committee reviewed the school results for 2025, with a particular focus on exclusions and suspensions. Councillor Gulcin Ozdemir, Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, noted that while the figures were challenging, there had been some marginal improvements in attendance in the most recent half-term.

A key concern raised was the practice of children being removed from the classroom without official suspension, leading to them not receiving an education. Councillor Saiqa Pandor, Women and Girls Champion, questioned whether this practice could be deemed illegal and advocated for a policy to address it. The committee discussed the challenges faced by children with special educational needs (SEN) or those awaiting Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, who may be disproportionately affected by such removals.

Councillor Paul Convery, Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Pensions Committee, expressed frustration with the persistent issue of poor outcomes for disadvantaged children, arguing that it is not solely due to cohorts but rather a failure of schools to address their needs. He called for greater accountability from schools and trusts, particularly those with persistently high rates of absence, suspensions, and exclusions. The committee discussed the difficulty in holding schools accountable when they are part of multi-academy trusts, and the need for the council to build stronger relationships with schools.

The discussion also touched upon the importance of reading for pleasure and attainment at Key Stage 2. Councillor James Potts, Reading Champion, inquired about initiatives to boost reading for pleasure and attainment. The committee acknowledged that while phonics data shows some areas for improvement, there is progress in Key Stage 2 attainment. The role of libraries and the importance of fostering a love of reading were also highlighted.

Concerns were raised about the increase in referrals for young people's drug and alcohol substance misuse, with a request for more context on interventions and how this increase is being addressed. The committee also discussed the challenges of engaging young people who may have a stigma around trust-based relationships, and the potential fear of criminalisation.

The committee agreed to note the report and to incorporate further data, including figures for Yotas (likely referring to young people in alternative provision) and live attendance data, into future reports.

Work Programme

The committee reviewed its work programme and noted that the next scheduled meeting would be the final one before the local elections in April 2026. Members were encouraged to attend.