Apologies were received from Cllr James Williscroft, with Cllr Shuile Syeda as substitute

Apologies were received from Cllr Max Austin, with Cllr Andrew Howard as substitute

Apologies were received from Bev Hendricks (Executive director of Children, Lifelong Learning and Families)

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest.

Panel Members confirmed that these were a true and accurate record of the previous meeting.

Cllr Sally Kenny informed the panel of her current priorities, these included:

-To establish a new free school. This will help more children to be educated in Merton and aid school placement opportunities.

-To develop 19 plus learning. This will help residents get English and Maths qualifications which will subsequently help them to get more employment opportunities.

Elizabeth Fitzpatrick introduced this report on behalf of Bev Hendricks who is the new executive director of Children, Lifelong Learning and Families. Bev Hendricks has replaced Jane McSherry who has retired since the panel last met. There is also a new children and young people plan which was created in partnership with young inspectors and considers the priorities put forward by young people.

Since the panel last met there have been several Ofsted inspections in Merton schools. There has also been confirmation that the deadline to spend the family hub transformation funding, which was originally the end of September 2024, has been extended until March 2025. Merton are also applying for additional money for family hubs. The departmental update also includes an overview of the youth service summer activities, the Holiday activities and food programme, an update on the new free school and a report on the launch of Mockingbird Constellations and the new Total Respect Training.

In response to questions:

-Feedback about after school clubs being too expensive/not accessible is taken seriously. It was noted that there are a range of free activities available as well and that Merton are trying to improve communication and engagement with young people, such as through bulletins in schools and on an Instagram page.

-Merton schools have a strong PSHCE program to try and help young people know which services to go to if they have a concern about sexual health. The information will be taken to the sexual health board to ensure services are available where young people want them. Work will also be done with youth workers so they can inform young people.

-Merton apply national thresholds when discontinuing EHCP’s. The 193 discontinued in 2024 will be in line with national figures.

-An indication of vacancies of therapists and Educational Psychologists within the council can be provided in the future.

-Work has been completed with young people to show what has been done in response to their concerns raised in the last survey. The youth parliament have done work on this and will produce content to go back to their peers to show what has been done. It was said that there is a stronger plan now than ever before in regard to showing young people that their concerns have been actioned.

-Youth centres are available to help young people get part time jobs. Play parks are also being developed to help keep children busy during evenings and on weekends.

Officers will confirm if the Children and Young People’s Social Prescribing pilot will be continued.

It will also be confirmed how many EHCP needs assessments were undertaken and what % resulted in an EHCP being issued. This data can be provided in a future departmental update.

Tom Proctor presented this report by explaining that the vast majority of indicators are green and by inviting questions. 

In response to questions

-The number of care leavers not in education, employment or training could be low because there is always a dip around summer. It was noted that Merton is still performing well in comparison to previous years and is proud that some care leavers are now working for the council. Virtual schools, personal advisors and pathway planners are available to help care leavers find employment.

-Child care reviews for Looked After Children happen every 6 months. The Independent Reviewing Officers endeavour to get them done within timescale. The reviews can be done in person or hybrid if there are travel issues. 

-The % of children aged 0-5 year from areas of deprivation whose families have accessed children's centre services is 84% which is comparable to other years. 47% is the 22/23 performance score which was impacted by covid.

-Merton would ideally always like more foster carers. There have been different approaches to advertising, including online. However, Merton seem to get more footfall from a multilayered approach to recruiting. Merton are continuously considering better ways to work and continue to work closely with other local authorities.

-If care leavers aren’t classified as being in ‘suitable accommodation’ it could be that they are in custody, sofa surfing at their choice or their status in unknown and Merton is trying to find out.

-Foster carers receive training to ensure they are not overburdened. However, monitoring for children in the care system is mandatory to ensure they are being cared for appropriately.

It will be confirmed how many applicants for foster carers there have been in the last 10 years and how many of those are successful. The 5-year report can be shared with Cllr’s.

Tom Proctor introduced this report by explaining that the position is relatively unchanged from last year. There has been a decrease in demand for primary school places since 2016 which has sadly led to Stanford Primary School closing. It was noted that school closures remain a last resort.

Whilst Merton applicant numbers for secondary schools have reduced in the last couple of years, overall Year 7 numbers have held due to increased numbers in neighbouring boroughs and an increase in retention of home residents in Merton schools. Retention levels of student between year 6 and 7 has gone from 75% to 87% which is a show of confidence residents have in Merton schools.

The council has provided an additional resourced provision at Liberty School to replace the provision at the closing Stanford School.

In response to questions, it was confirmed:

-The number of children with special needs in Merton mirrors the national picture. Merton provide schools some additional funding for those children. Schools are also supported through a guidance project to ensure every child’s needs are met.

-Schools have £6000 to support children who may have an IEP but not an EHCP. Merton also have a “Ordinarily Available Provision” which refers to the setting-based interventions and services that all Merton schools, early years and post 16 settings should be able to provide for children or young people, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), from within their own resources.

-Schools are being inventive with how space is being used if there has been a reduction in class sizes leading to empty rooms or provisions. For example, one school rents out space to Merton music foundation whilst others have looked at creating specialist spaces like art rooms or science labs. There has also recently been a government policy about using space in primary schools to expand nursery provision, although Merton are currently awaiting more announcements on this.

-Council officers have explored the possible effects of a potential increase in demand for school places because of the new government’s change in VAT policy for private schools. It is estimated that it could lead to a 3–7% reduction in private school attendance. As only 10% of children currently attend private schools, this would only lead to a minor increase in demand for state schools. As the demand for public schools has dropped, the increase would be welcome.

-There is flexible provision for the needs of teenage mothers to be met. Community health providers also support young mothers. There are also national schemes to help.

Officers introduced this report by explaining that it has been made in context of the previous governments policy to expand childcare policy for under 5’s.

In response to questions:

-The new government have the same commitment to the policy, which was rolled out in April 2024 and is to be fully implemented by September 2025. Merton are currently waiting for further announcements, such as regarding the policy for breakfast clubs for older children.

-Although the numbers of childminders have declined, the childcare market often responds to demand. The drop may be attributed to covid so a recovery may take place. It was noted that there has recently been a growth in the number of applications.

-The inclusionfund to enable providers to meet low and emerging SEND support needs of children under the age of 5, who are accessing the funded childcare and education entitlement, is a statutory requirement. Merton’s fund is generous in comparison to other local authorities.

-There is a Supporting Families Employment Advisor in post until the end of March 2025. Merton are awaiting a funding announcement to see if this role will continue post March 2025. If there is no funding the service can be linked with ‘Employ Merton’.

Elizabeth Fitzpatrick introduced this report, describing Merton’s commitment in conjunction with Merton School Sports Partnerships to support children in sport provision. The chair noted that it was positive to see that a good range of sport provision is being offered.

In response to questions, it was confirmed:

-Merton will investigate why only 54% of children could swim 25m when leaving school in year 6. It may be that some schools haven’t reported data and as a result there should be more complete data available in February. Merton will take the issue up directly with the schools if they are not delivering the curriculum.

-Officers will check with colleagues in the borough of sport team to confirm if the statistic in the report about the number of over 65-year-olds undertaking free swimming lessons is correct.

-Morden may have had a higher uptake rate for free swimming lessons than Wimbledon because of the catchment area, but this would be a hypothesis and not a definitive answer.

-Some schools may find it difficult to provide swimming sessions (due to transport etc), but they find a way and ensure at least one year group per year have the opportunity.

-The number of children representing their primary/special school has gone down, but work is ongoing so that if funding does decrease children still have the skills they need. 

-Merton have not noticed a dip in provision of extracurricular activities, which is an area that would have been scrutinised by Ofsted. Merton are working with several primary schools to work on their ‘wraparound care program’. It was noted that most schools would like to offer more but face challenges around utilising staff and many rely on goodwill of staff members.

An update on the self-harm/eating disorders task group was requested to brought forward. CAMHS will be invited to speak on this topic.

The misogyny topic is being expanded to include the radicalisation of young people and sexual violence.

Officers are considering if Merton has appropriate data to provide a report on child poverty.