Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services concerning Education and Early Years Service Safeguarding Update.

Officers introduced the safeguarding update, which is a regular report detailing the work of the Education and Early Years Service to ensure the safety and welfare of children. This includes both City of London residents educated in and outside the City, as well as non-City children attending schools within the City. The report focused on five key areas: identifying and tracking children in need of support, implementing new statutory guidance on school attendance, monitoring children at risk of missing education, supporting electively home-educated children, and managing performance licences and work permits.

A Member raised a question about the number of children in the City, noting a discrepancy between the 331 school-aged children mentioned in the report and the 713 children referenced in the private fostering report. Officers clarified that the 331 figure is based on a manual annual exercise to identify City children attending schools outside the City and is separate from the private fostering data. From September, access to national school census data should improve the accuracy of these figures.

Further discussion explored the breakdown of children attending independent versus state schools. Officers confirmed that around 80 to 100 children attend independent schools, and members suggested this information be included in future reports. There was a call for a comprehensive dataset showing the total number of children by age group and education type, including those in primary, secondary, independent, City of London Academies (CoLA), and home education. Officers agreed to provide this data from the census and circulate it to the sub-committee.

Concerns were raised about the relatively low number of children receiving SEND support (44), which appears low compared to national figures. Officers explained that this data was obtained directly from schools and includes children on SEND registers and those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). She acknowledged that while the overall numbers are small, the number of EHCPs has doubled in the past six years, indicating a significant trend.

Members expressed a desire for future reports to be more outcome-focused and data-driven, to better assess the adequacy of provision and identify potential safeguarding gaps. Officers acknowledged this and agreed to consider a revised reporting approach.

A Member asked about support for children who avoid school. Officers described the proactive work undertaken by the Education Welfare Manager, who collaborates with early help, social care, and the virtual school. An Attendance Improvement Group reviews cases where attendance drops below 90%, and support is tailored to both the child and their family. The City has avoided issuing penalty notices, preferring supportive interventions. However, the dispersed nature of City children across 60 schools in 20 local authorities presents challenges, which the new data-sharing regulations are expected to help address.

The discussion also covered managed moves and elective home education. Officers explained that the team supports families considering elective home education and works with schools to resolve issues, often preventing unnecessary withdrawals. Managed moves are supported when families are known to services, particularly those with EHCPs.

RESOLVED – That, the report be noted.