The Personnel Committee of Kent County Council was scheduled to discuss proposals for new special leave entitlements for employees. These included a potential new policy for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and the introduction of paid leave for foster carers. The committee was also due to consider the senior management structure of the council.

Cadet Force Adult Volunteers Special Leave

The committee was scheduled to consider a report outlining a proposal to introduce a formal special leave entitlement for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. These volunteers support armed forces youth cadet organisations such as the Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force, Combined Cadet Force, and Royal Air Force Air Cadets. Currently, these volunteers do not have a specific entitlement to leave for their cadet activities. The proposal aimed to align Kent County Council with emerging national best practice and support wider national initiatives related to cadet forces.

During the previous meeting on 25 March 2026, members had noted potential benefits but also raised concerns. These included the lack of a financial assessment for the scheme's impact, questions about the cumulative effect of combining cadet leave with other types of leave, and the need for clarity regarding the Council's position in relation to the Gold Award under the Armed Forces Covenant. Members also highlighted the issue of parity with other organised youth groups. A suggestion was made for officers to conduct a financial impact assessment, explore the effect on the Council's Gold Award status, consult with staff, and consider including arrangements for other youth-related groups in any future scheme. Consideration of this report was deferred to allow officers to return with additional analysis and information.

Fostering Friendly Leave

A report was scheduled to be presented regarding proposals for a paid leave entitlement for employees who are approved foster carers for children looked after by Kent County Council. The proposed scheme suggested an entitlement of 8.5 days of paid leave in the first year of fostering and 5 days in each subsequent year.

Members were expected to discuss the benefits of this proposal, noting that a scheme aimed at increasing the number of in-house foster carers could reduce the Council's reliance on more costly external fostering provision. This would be financially advantageous for the Council and beneficial for the children in its care. Questions were anticipated regarding eligibility, particularly for foster carers who do not live in Kent or who foster for agencies outside the county. Officers were expected to confirm that the entitlement would apply where the child is looked after by Kent County Council and that the scheme relates specifically to Kent children. The discussion was also expected to cover whether the entitlement would apply to staff who are already approved foster carers, with officers confirming that it would apply to all eligible staff, including those currently fostering. The report indicated that arrangements for subsequent years of fostering would be 5 days leave.

The report pack indicated a recommendation for the Personnel Committee to approve the proposal, which would introduce a special leave entitlement for eligible employees who foster with Kent Fostering, effective from 1 April 2026.

Senior Management Structure

The committee was also scheduled to discuss the senior management structure of the council. This item was listed as exempt, meaning the press and public were likely to be excluded from this part of the meeting. Benjamin Watts, the Deputy Chief Executive, was listed as the contact for this item.