The Children and Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee met to discuss the progress and strategy of Tower Hamlets' youth services, focusing on the expansion of safe spaces, youth engagement, and the overall development of the Young Tower Hamlets initiative. The committee also engaged in a question-and-answer session with the Corporate Director for Children's Services, covering a broad range of topics including SEND provision, safeguarding, and educational outcomes.

Young Tower Hamlets Youth Services

The committee received a comprehensive update on the Young Tower Hamlets initiative, which aims to provide a safe space in every ward for young people. Councillor Abdul Mannan, Chair of the Sub-Committee, welcomed the progress made, noting that 31 universal and specialist youth provisions are now in place, with 15 universal safe spaces already operational. The Deputy Mayor, Maium Talukdar, expressed pride in the service's achievements, highlighting the opening of a dedicated girls' space at Sampo's Way and the borough's selection for the National Pilot for Young Futures hubs.

Steve Reddy, Corporate Director for Children's Services, commended the staff for their hard work and the groundbreaking nature of the youth services being developed in Tower Hamlets. He noted that the borough is a national pilot for the Young Futures hubs, a testament to the investment in youth services. The meeting also discussed the Youth Participation Guide, which outlines how the council engages with young people across all its services.

Key aspects of the youth service discussed included:

• Universal Safe Spaces: The expansion of these spaces is a core commitment, with 15 currently open and two new ones planned. The St. Paul's Way centre, a girls-only space, was launched in January, and Mastmakers Court in Canary Wharf is projected to open in April 2026. A new building for St. Andrews Wharf Youth Centre is due to open in September 2026.
• Commissioned Services: There are 10 commissioned universal youth clubs and 7 specialist services, with a total attendance of 6,131 unique young people and 3,245 regular users.
• Sports and Adventure Learning: This team offers a range of activities, including indoor rock climbing, canoeing, BMX, and Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, with 7,374 attendances recorded and 490 DofE Awards achieved.
• Integrated Detached Team: This team focuses on street-based youth work in identified hotspot areas, working closely with partners like the police and community safety teams to reduce harm and exploitation.
• Targeted Youth Support: This service provides tailored interventions for young people and families needing extra support, receiving referrals from the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Team (MAST).
• Youth Participation: The Young Tower Hamlets strategy places a strong emphasis on youth voice, with various forums and groups established, including the Young Mayor's team, Youth Council, and SEND Forum. The Youth Participation Guide, which details how young people can influence council services, was presented.
• Commissioning of Youth Contracts: Discussions are underway for the recommissioning of specialist youth work contracts, with a needs assessment being conducted to ensure continuity of services.
• Young Futures Hub: Tower Hamlets has been selected as one of eight areas nationally, and the only one in London, to roll out this initiative, with a launch planned for March 31, 2026.
• Mayor's Small Grants: The Youth Empowerment Fund and Positive Activities for Young People fund have supported numerous projects designed by and for young people.
• Workforce Development: The service is working to recruit staff, with 67% of the 173 permanent posts filled. A workforce development strategy is being implemented to attract, develop, retain, inspire, and include staff.

During the discussion, councillors raised questions about performance indicators, the equitable distribution of services across wards, and the impact of staff recruitment on service delivery. Steve Reddy assured the committee that more detailed performance data would be provided in future meetings and that efforts are being made to ensure equitable provision across all wards, taking into account local population demographics and needs.

Question Time with Corporate Director for Children Services

The committee also held a Question Time session with Steve Reddy, Corporate Director for Children's Services. This session covered a wide array of topics, including:

• SEND Provision: The government's reforms to SEND provision were discussed, including the financial pressures on local authorities regarding the high-needs block funding. Tower Hamlets has an overspend of £30 million on its high-needs block, which the government plans to address by 2026-27, subject to local reform plans. The reforms are expected to increase the focus on inclusive education in mainstream settings. Concerns were raised about potential profiteering in the specialist provision sector.
• Educational Outcomes: The performance of schools in Tower Hamlets was reviewed. While primary schools and GCSE results are strong, post-16 education and A-level results present a challenge. The council is working to improve these outcomes and make local sixth forms more attractive to high-achieving students.
• Post-19 SEND Provision: The need to improve post-19 provision for young people with SEND was acknowledged. A needs analysis is underway, and a multi-agency working group is mapping current assessment pathways. Additional investment has been secured for a transition fund.
• SEND Travel Assistance: Concerns were raised about the training of passenger assistants on council-run transport for children with SEND. While passenger assistants undergo training under the nationally recognised PATS scheme, the committee sought assurances that staff have the specific training required for children with complex medical needs. The service committed to reviewing specific training needs.
• Youth Justice Inspection: Steve Reddy informed the committee about an upcoming Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) focusing on child sexual abuse within the family environment. The report is expected in draft form by April 7th.
• Free School Meals: The Young Mayor's proposal to extend free school meals to all young people under 18 was discussed, with the council considering its feasibility.
• Tribunal Costs for SEND: The financial implications of parents taking the council to tribunal regarding SEND provision were discussed, with costs falling to the council's budget. The committee will receive an update on tribunal numbers and success rates.

The committee thanked Steve Reddy and his team for their presentations and for their work throughout the year. The meeting concluded with a reflection on the committee's successful year of scrutiny and a thank you to the Chair, Councillor Abdul Mannan.