Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Margaret Harvey. Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Matt Cooper.

There were no declarations.

Broadcast of the meeting

The Chair to announce the following: ‘In addition to the rights by law that the public and press have to record this meeting, I would like to remind everyone that this meeting is being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and can be viewed on our website for twelve months after the meeting. After that time, webcasts are archived and can be made available upon request.

If you have asked to address the meeting, you are deemed to be consenting to having your contributions recorded and broadcast, including video when switched on, and to the use of those sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes’.

Any Other Announcements

Webcasting

The Chair announced that the meeting as being broadcast live to the internet and would be capable of repeated viewing and copies of the recording could be made available on request.  Those participating in the meeting were deemed to be consenting to being filmed.

Corporate Parenting Strategy Update

The Council was developing Camden’s Corporate Parenting Strategy to enhance support for care-experienced children and young people. The Committee was consulted at the previous meeting on the key drivers for change and the strategy’s direction, which was progressing towards Cabinet approval. Officers were seeking feedback on implementation and impact measurement. A short feedback form, along with the strategy and draft implementation plan outlining key actions and success measures, would be shared with Committee Members and responses would help shape effective implementation.

Requests to speak at the Committee on a matter within its terms of reference must be made in writing to the clerk named on the front of this agenda by 5pm two working days before the meeting.

There were no deputations.

There was no notification of urgent business.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 14 January 2025.

RESOLVED – 

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2025 be agreed as an accurate record.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families.

This report provides the Committee with an update relating to the portfolio of the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families.

Consideration was given to the update of the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families.

Councillor Boyland (Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families) summarised the update paper which covered the following areas: Children’s Trust Partnership Board and school attendance; Camden response to the National curriculum assessment review; Opportunity Centres and AI Campus Launch; and school estates.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for the update and invited questions and comments from the Committee. The following was discussed:

National Curriculum Review

·       A Member welcomed the Council’s contribution on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) concerns in response to the National Curriculum Review and asked for the estimated timetable for the outcome of this work. The Cabinet Member advised that the timeline for the review was not yet known but confirmed that updates would be shared with the Committee as soon as further information became available.

·       A Member asked how much consultation had taken place with SEND families before Camden’s response was submitted, noting that families often felt their voices were not heard. The Cabinet Member responded that they had worked with the SEND Inclusion Board, the Parent Carer Forum, and Camden Learning. While they felt the consultation had been thorough, they acknowledged that there was always more that could be done. They also mentioned that residents and partners were aware of the challenges the Council faced.

School Estates

·       A Member asked whether the approach outlined in section 5.3 on school estates would contribute to a broader estate strategy, incorporating strategic plans for falling rolls and place planning. The Cabinet Member acknowledged the need for a comprehensive plan covering SEND, place planning, and the school estate. Officers were working to align SEND requirements, while managing multiple moving parts and ongoing consultations with various stakeholders. The intention was to integrate the school estate report into this work, while considering maintenance needs and the diverse range of school buildings.

·       A Member welcomed the school estate report and the engagement with parents and the Schools Capital Board, stating that they would like to hear more about this work and its timescales in the near future. The Cabinet Member confirmed that a report would be brought back to the Committee for input and discussion.

·       A Member highlighted the event of when schools had to shut due to excessive heat two years ago. They noted the importance of climate resiliency in the school estate report and the need to assess how schools with different types of buildings could adapt to warmer summers. The Cabinet Member confirmed that this would be included in the report. They added that during heatwaves, some schools had to move children between cooler classrooms. It was noted that buildings from the 1960s were not suitable for the climate challenge. A test-and-learn approach had been applied in one school, where air conditioning was installed. The Cabinet Member also mentioned that the issue of children becoming unsettled or having difficulty regulating their behaviour due to heat would continue to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People and Culture.

This report provides the Committee with an update relating to the portfolio of the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People and Culture.

Consideration was given to the update of the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People & Culture.

Councillor Francis (Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People & Culture) summarised the update paper which covered the following areas: young people’s participation in Youth Celebration Week; Youth Safety Steering Group and young ambassador feedback; and the successes in young people’s participation and engagement.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for the update and invited questions and comments from the Committee. The following was discussed:

·       A Member asked what events took place to celebrate LGBT History Month 2025, highlighting that LGBT young people were among the most targeted groups in society and had been affected by the first anti-LGBT law passed in the UK since the 1980s. The Member asked how Camden was supporting LGBT young people by fostering a sense of community and demonstrating the possibilities of adult life. The Cabinet Member stated that Camden shared LGBT History Month programming with Islington. The month started with a launch event, and an event was scheduled featuring a panel discussion on LGBT progress where a young panellist from the Camden Young Foundation would be speaking alongside older panellists. Information on events had been available on the Love Camden Culture site. The Cabinet Member noted efforts to attend as many events as possible and stated that Camden aimed to expand its programmes, though budget and time constraints remained a challenge. There were plans to make the lecture an annual event, bringing in speakers to inspire young people and older residents by showcasing positive LGBT adult experiences.

·       A Member welcomed the broader and more positive framing of Youth Celebration Week while recognising that youth safety remained central. They asked whether young people at the event had shared their views on safety in Camden, particularly in light of increasing drug-related antisocial behaviour and crime over the past year. The Cabinet Member acknowledged these concerns and noted that young people often had personal connections to others involved in such activities. They stated that perceptions of safety varied significantly depending on location and individual experiences. Some young people had raised safety concerns during Youth Mission discussions, and youth workers had reported that some young people felt unable to attend certain youth clubs. Measures such as arranging group travel or support to attend clubs were being explored. The Cabinet Member emphasised that youth safety remained a key workstream, particularly in tackling the exploitation that often led young people into crime. Work with the police continued to address these issues and improve feelings of safety. Officers outlined ongoing council work on violence against women and girls, including education in schools on gender-related issues and positive masculinity. The Council had also engaged with domestic abuse survivors to improve services. A strategy was being developed in collaboration with partners, with an update expected later in the year.

·       A Member expressed their ongoing support for Camden Summer University and asked about the attendance of less advantaged groups. The Cabinet Member explained that priority was given to these  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer, Camden Learning.

This report provides the committee with an overview and analysis of Camden school performance. It contains an analysis of overall published school outcomes from the academic year 2023-24 in Early Years, the Year 1 Phonics check, Key Stage (KS) 2, KS4 and KS5 alongside other key performance indicators including Ofsted inspection outcomes, attendance, and suspensions data. Three-year trends alongside ranking against local and national averages are given where known. Due to the impact of the pandemic on assessment, the three-year trends cover 2019, 2023 and 2024, so they are more comparable. In 2023 Ofqual confirmed a return to pre-pandemic grading with an allowance for disruption so that overall results would be similar to those of 2019. There are no KS1 to KS2 progress scores this year or next due to the cancellation of statutory testing in 2020. KS1 assessments are no longer statutory so not represented in this report. Data at Key Stage 4 and 5 is still provisional, and final data will not be available until late February 2025 however significant changes are not anticipated.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Executive Officer, Camden Learning.

Stephen Hall (Chief Executive Officer, Camden Learning), accompanied by Dame Christine Gilbert (Chair, Camden Learning), summarised the report. Appendix 1 provided an overview of Camden schools performance including an analysis of overall published school outcomes from the academic year 2023-24 in Early Years, the Year 1 Phonics check, Key Stage 2 (KS2), Key Stage 4 (KS4) and Key Stage 5 (KS5) alongside other key performance indicators including Ofsted inspection outcomes, attendance, and suspensions data. Appendix 2 set out the 2023-24 annual review of the implementation of Camden’s education strategy, Building Back Stronger.

The Chair thanked Camden Learning for the report and invited questions and comments from the Committee. The following was discussed:

·       In relation to pupil suspensions, a Member acknowledged the challenging circumstances faced by schools, families, and pupils, noting that the aftermath of COVID-19 had contributed to behaviour issues. They asked whether this trend was expected to be a temporary phenomenon, given the positive emphasis on early intervention. The officer responded that while COVID-19 had had a national impact, Camden was performing positively overall regarding suspensions, with rates lower than both London and national benchmarks. They explained that more pathways were available for young people, and headteachers were keen to avoid exclusions. The officer also highlighted ongoing support and signposting for alternatives. While recognising the difficulty for school governors in making these decisions, they assured that everything possible was being done to provide alternatives before suspensions were implemented.

·       A Co-opted Member pointed out the difficulty in presenting school data in a way that clearly highlighted variations across schools, noting the significant differences between them. They asked about the extent to which low-attaining disadvantaged children were represented at each school and what the variation in their chances of attainment were between the schools. They explained that schools varied in terms of student composition, with some comprehensives having a much smaller proportion of disadvantaged children. They inquired how the data could be presented to clarify these differences. Camden Learning responded that they had this data and also noted that Camden had a mixed cohort. The girls' schools tended to perform better than mixed schools, and overall, only 63% of the Year 11 cohort had come from Camden primary schools, meaning the cohorts were different when comparing. It was also mentioned that Camden Learning had data on entry points and measures to track these variations.

·       A Co-opted Member highlighted that there was little mention of vocational qualifications in the report, particularly BTECs, which were significant qualifications taken by many Camden children. They emphasised the importance of including these achievements, as failing to do so would overlook the accomplishments of a large number of Camden students. Camden Learning responded that they would include more information on vocational qualifications in the future. Camden Learning expressed pride in the work being done in the area, particularly from a post-16 perspective, including T-levels, and assured they would take the feedback into consideration.

·       A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Report of the Director of Education Commissioning and Inclusion.

Camden’s Local Area SEND Strategy was published in November 2022. As part of the delivery of this strategy we publish annual progress reports outlining the work that we have done to deliver the commitments in the strategy. The attached report provides detail of the work that has taken place during 2024.

During the last year, we have made significant progress in the delivery of the ambitions of the strategy, including increased investment in a number of areas. This is the second year of delivery of our five-year strategy and the scale of the ambition of the reform we are undertaking means that there is still considerable work to do. We will also be publishing our implementation plan setting out planned activity up to 2027, the end of the strategy period.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Education Commissioning and Inclusion.

Vikram Hansrani (Director of Education Commissioning and Inclusion), accompanied by Di Osbourne (Head of SEND and Inclusion), Sian Thomas (Head of Children, Young People and Family Services, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) and Megan Jarvie (Principal Policy and Projects Officer), introduced and summarised the report.

The Chair thanked officers for the report and invited questions and comments from the Committee. The following was discussed:

·       A Member asked about the role of the NHS and their contribution in the SEND space. In response, officers outlined the structure of health services, with Integrated Care Board (ICB) commissioners overseeing provision and various providers delivering services. They stated that there was strong engagement from health colleagues and a commitment from the ICB to addressing waiting times and interventions. Additional ICB funding of £625,000 had been allocated to increase capacity, with projects in place to upskill schools and provide additional support. The NHS representative confirmed that the £625,000 investment was backlog funding intended to commission private providers due to insufficient capacity. This funding would create seven extra roles, with recruitment underway. However, while the investment would maintain service levels, it would not significantly reduce the backlog due to the volume of referrals. A pilot for a shorter pathway had seen success with under-5s, and there were efforts to integrate this into standard practice. Waiting times remained high, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessment referrals in December 2024 averaging 71 weeks for under-5s and 102 weeks for over-5s. In November 2024, prior to the pilot’s impact, the average wait was 91 weeks. A Member asked about the ambition for reducing wait times. The NHS representative noted that two years ago, the average wait had been six months, which would be an ideal target, but they acknowledged that this was unlikely with the current level of investment. They emphasised the need to assess the impact of the funding before determining what further improvements could be made. Members agreed they would like an update on waiting times and interventions to report to a future meeting.

·       A Co-opted Member asked whether Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) services would receive additional investment. An officer confirmed that the Year 3 strategy would be published shortly, with SEMH playing a prominent role. They stated that discussions were ongoing about expansion and the outreach services needed to support schools in meeting needs. While specific details were not yet available, they would be included in the Year 3 plan.

·       A Co-opted Member stated that if Priority 1 was implemented, it would bring positive change. They noted difficulty in finding service standards online and highlighted the benefit of having a named caseworker. An officer responded that service standards should be more prominent and would be reviewed. They confirmed that a range of standards existed outlining what parents and schools could expect and that work to develop these further would continue. Following recent recruitment, the SEND case officer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families.

In October 2024, the Children, Schools and Families Scrutiny Committee was presented with the final report of the SEND Provision Scrutiny Panel, which, which investigated the effectiveness of provision for meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND in Camden. The Scrutiny Panel was made up of elected members and co-opted members from the Committee. The Committee requested that the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families prepare a response to the Scrutiny Panel’s recommendations from the investigation and to report back to the Committee.

The findings of this investigation revealed that there were areas where provision was not meeting families’ needs and expectations. They found that many of the issues faced locally are national and driven by insufficient resource and increases in demand and need. The report recognised that Camden has worked creatively within its budget but that there is still work to be done to improve local provision. The report made recommendations to improve practice on a local level as well as recommendations for changes that are needed national. This report contains the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families’ response to these recommendations.

The Scrutiny Panel’s investigation was gratefully received. Officers have been drawing on the evidence in the report to shape our local area partnership SEND strategy implementation plan and our priorities. The majority of the recommendations are agreed upon and included in our work plans.

Consideration was given to the report of the Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families.

Councillor Boyland (Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families) summarised the report which contained responses to all of the recommendations made by the SEND Provision Scrutiny Panel’s investigation, which were gratefully received. The following points were made:

·       The Cabinet Member highlighted the following several areas of development: Schools Forum had established a high-needs group to focus on Education Other Than At School (EOTAS), Alternate Provisions, and cluster working; the SEND Inclusion Board, chaired by the Cabinet Member, was reviewing needs assessment pathways as an key outcome of the investigation; the ICB had improved funding to increase assessments, with data expected to reflect this progress; and Camden Learning was also working more closely with the Council on SEND provision.

·       At a national level, it was recognised that despite increased funding and EHCP assessments, outcomes remained stagnant or had worsened. Camden had contributed to the Government’s Education Committee’s inquiry into the SEND crisis and the Curriculum and Assessment Review, with indications that Camden’s approach might influence national policy. The Children and Wellbeing Bill would introduce statutory registration for elective home education and unique identifiers to track children's progress.

·       The Cabinet Member highlighted several key challenges and areas for improvement, including: low achievement for SEND children in Camden schools compared to London averages; underrepresentation of SEND diagnoses among certain groups; weaknesses in transitions between education settings and parent-school engagement; the need for better post-16 support and work experience opportunities; and the role of health partners in supporting SEND services, with concerns about NHS engagement in EHCPs.

·       Despite these challenges, progress had been made in early SEND identification through initiatives such as Camden Kids Talk and the Welcome Kit in nurseries. A £1.3 million investment had led to a restructuring of the SEND team, including new leads for quality assurance, communications, local offer management, and commissioning. Other developments included the Centre for Relational Practice, the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) Hub, and enhanced support for schools.

·       The Cabinet Member emphasised that while improvements were ongoing, further work was needed to enhance Camden’s SEND provision. The Council remained ambitious and committed to making continual progress for children and families.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for the report and firstly invited the former Chair of the SEND Provision Scrutiny Panel to speak. Councillor McNamara (Committee Member and Chair of the SEND Provision Scrutiny Panel during the investigation) responded by outlining the local focus of the Panel’s work, resulting in 32 recommendations aimed at local improvements. Despite the local focus, the broader national context, including funding and educational philosophy, was acknowledged. The Children and Wellbeing Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, was welcomed, with the expectation that it would lead to increased funding for special needs. The £7 billion allocated to SEND was also expected to eventually reach Camden. Hopes were expressed that the National Curriculum Review would result in more oracy and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Report of the Executive Director Children and Learning.

This report provides an outline of the 2024-25 work programme (Appendix 1), the 2025-2026 provisional work programme (Appendix 2), and an update on actions requested at previous meetings (Appendix 3).

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Director of Children and Learning.

Tim Aldridge (Executive Director Children and Learning) summarised the work programme.

The following was discussed:

·       As discussed on item 7, Members agreed they would like to receive a report on the School Estates Strategy in the 2025/26 municipal year.

·       As discussed on item 10, Members agreed they would like an update on autism and ADHD assessment waiting times and interventions to be brought back to a future meeting.

·       As discussed on item 11, Members agreed they would like to hear an update on the progress on implementing the recommendations of the SEND Provision Scrutiny Panel to follow up the response paper in February 2026.

RESOLVED – 

THAT the Committee note the report. 

The Committee is asked to note the provisional meeting dates for the 2025/26 municipal year, with all meetings scheduled to start at 6.30 pm:

·       Tuesday, 15 July 2025

·       Tuesday, 16 September 2025

·       Monday, 10 November 2025

·       Tuesday, 9 December 2025

·       Tuesday, 13 January 2026

·       Monday, 23 February 2026

The provisional 2025/26 municipal year meeting dates were listed in the agenda.

There was no urgent business.