Redbridge Council's Children and Young People Committee has outlined its three key priorities for the upcoming municipal year, with a strong focus on educational outcomes, youth engagement, and early help and safeguarding.
The committee met on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, to agree on its work plan for 2026-27. The chosen priorities are designed to ensure focused and impactful reviews, avoiding duplication with the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The committee's discussions and decisions are detailed in the Public reports pack 14th Jul 2026.
The agreed priorities are:
Education Outcomes, Standards and Attainment: This priority will involve a detailed examination of how the council can improve educational results for all learners, with a specific emphasis on vulnerable groups and closing attainment gaps. The committee intends to influence policies that enhance school performance and pupil progress. Crucially, this will include considering the needs of children not in employment, education, or training, as well as those struggling with mainstream schooling, including discussions around alternative provision. The committee will also consider elements of SEND reform and school reorganisation if they align with its remit.
Engagement with Children, Young People, Schools and Stakeholders: This area will concentrate on the council's methods for effectively engaging with young residents, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. A key aspect will be exploring the UNICEF Child Friendly Borough accreditation, a significant achievement Redbridge received in March, making it the first borough in England to gain the award. This accreditation lasts for three years, during which the council must continue to evidence its work. The committee aims to foster stronger partnerships to improve opportunities for young people, continually working with them to identify further improvements and spearhead future initiatives. This includes a commitment to co-production and ensuring young people are actively involved in policy development.
Early Help, Safeguarding and Youth Justice: The committee will review the council's approach to early intervention and prevention services, statutory safeguarding, and youth justice. The focus will be on supporting families proactively, strengthening multi-agency collaboration, and addressing issues within the youth justice system to prevent young people from becoming involved in crime. This involves examining how to support families before they require statutory intervention, with an emphasis on encouraging kinship arrangements and other family-led solutions. A key challenge will be evidencing the council's offer at early help and prevention stages.
Discussions also touched upon SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) reform and school reorganisation. While these are important, the committee noted they might be more appropriately addressed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. However, elements could be incorporated into the agreed priorities if they align with the committee's specific remit and scope, with the committee members themselves deciding on the focus.
The committee delegated the detailed planning of the work plan to the Chair in conjunction with officers. The next meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2026.
