Date of meeting: 11 February 2026

Agencies represented:

Croydon Council Children, Young People and Education;

Croydon Health Services;

South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB)

Metropolitan Police;

Independent Scrutineer

CSCP Business Team

Chair: Stuart Collins, Corporate Director, Children, Young People and Education (acting on behalf of the scheduled chair)

Partners build on positive safeguarding progress while preparing for major children’s services reforms

Overview

The Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) Executive Group met in February to review safeguarding performance, consider partnership priorities and discuss how agencies can work together to respond to increasing demand and upcoming national reforms.

A key theme throughout the meeting was the importance of stronger partnership working to support the implementation of children’s social care reforms, early intervention services and neighbourhood-based approaches to supporting children and families. Partners discussed how agencies can align priorities and resources to improve outcomes for children and young people across Croydon.

The Executive Group also reviewed safeguarding activity across partner organisations, considered workforce and financial pressures, and reflected on positive external feedback about the quality of safeguarding practice in Croydon.

Positive work highlighted

The Executive Group welcomed very positive feedback from a recent focused inspection visit examining safeguarding arrangements at the front door of children’s services, including the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and assessment services. Inspectors reported that decision-making was effective, risks were appropriately managed, and children were being safeguarded through timely responses. Partnership engagement was recognised as a particular strength.

Members heard that safeguarding assessments were judged to be of good quality and that strategy meetings between agencies were working effectively to support safe outcomes for children and families. Staff across partner organisations were praised for their commitment and professionalism.

Progress was also reported in strengthening MASH processes, including the implementation of updated operating procedures and digital systems designed to improve consistency and timeliness in multi-agency decision-making.

Partners highlighted ongoing work to prepare for the Family First Partnership reforms, with early planning focused on developing community-based, multi-disciplinary approaches that bring services closer to families and provide support at an earlier stage.

Challenges discussed

Partners acknowledged that all agencies continue to face significant pressures arising from increasing demand, workforce challenges and financial constraints. Maintaining effective safeguarding arrangements while managing these pressures remains a shared priority.

The meeting discussed challenges in securing consistent engagement across some partnership activities, including audits and multi-agency training. Members agreed that active participation from all agencies is essential to maintaining a strong safeguarding partnership and ensuring learning is shared effectively.

The impact of children and young people placed in Croydon by other local authorities was also considered. Partners discussed the resulting pressures on local services and the importance of accurate information-sharing and joint planning.

Financial pressures affecting safeguarding services were reviewed, including discussions around funding arrangements for statutory safeguarding functions and wider budget challenges across partner organisations.

Key discussion items

• Progress against the CSCP Business Plan and safeguarding priorities.

• Preparation for Family First Partnership reforms and neighbourhood-based service delivery. [

• Improvements to MASH processes and multi-agency decision-making arrangements.

• Findings from recent inspection activity and learning arising from safeguarding practice.

• Partnership engagement in audits, training and quality assurance activity.

• Emerging approaches to identifying and responding to child exploitation and other safeguarding risks.

• Financial pressures and sustainability of safeguarding functions across agencies.

• Opportunities for closer collaboration between health, police, social care, education, housing and voluntary sector partners.

  
  

Actions agreed

• Progress discussions on sustainable funding arrangements for key safeguarding functions.

• Continue work to improve partnership engagement in audits, training and quality assurance activities.

• Strengthen collaborative planning across agencies to support children’s social care reforms and early intervention services.

• Progress joint work to improve understanding of children and young people placed in Croydon by other local authorities and the impact on local services.

• Continue developing neighbourhood-based approaches that support earlier intervention and improved pathways for families.

  
  

Closing statement

The Executive Group reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively to safeguard children and young people in Croydon. Members recognised the challenges facing services but were encouraged by positive inspection findings, ongoing improvement work and the opportunities presented by forthcoming reforms. Partners agreed that strong multi-agency working, shared accountability and a focus on prevention will be central to improving outcomes for children and families.