Hounslow's Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel is planning visits to local family hubs to gain insights into community needs and inform funding decisions related to the Families First Programme.
The Families First Programme aims to shift from a 'high state intervention' approach towards earlier community-based support, following a national review into children's social care, according to the notes of the previous meeting. This shift aims to provide support at an earlier stage through community-based initiatives, rather than relying on high state intervention.
The panel, chaired by Councillor Emma Siddhu, discussed potential site visits at their meeting on Monday, 24 November 2025, as a follow-up to discussions from their previous meeting on 23 September 2025. The aim is to gather community feedback related to the Families First Programme.
During the previous meeting, an officer encouraged the panel to focus on direct engagement with parents rather than staff during these visits, and to leverage councillors' community connections to identify key areas for potential funding. Suggestions for site visits included family hubs, parent panels, community groups, faith organisations, and coffee mornings with schools.
To address potential conflicts of interest arising from councillors leveraging their community connections, the agenda for the meeting includes a section referencing the MO Guidance on Declaring Interests, reminding committee members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in any matter being discussed.
Hounslow Council is expected to receive approximately £1.3 million in funding for the Families First Programme. The panel aims to use the site visits to inform their understanding of how this funding can be best allocated to support families in the borough.
The next meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel is scheduled for Wednesday, 4 March 2026.