The People Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council met on Thursday 17 September 2026, approving priorities for adult social care, endorsing progress on the Children and Young People's Plan, and noting progress on the SEND Futures Plan. The committee also approved the post-16 education offer and noted a motion regarding patients prescribed cannabis-based products for medicinal use.

Post-16 Education Offer

The committee noted the high rate of participation in sustained education, employment, and training among young people aged 16 to 18, and up to age 25 for those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). It was assessed that the current education and training offer is suitable and sufficient to meet the council's statutory responsibilities. Discussions highlighted that 96.5% of young people leaving Key Stage 4 in Kingston upon Thames were in sustained education, training, or employment, which is above the national rate. While academic routes remain popular, there has been an expansion in vocational provision, with seven school sixth-forms offering BTEC and other vocational qualifications at Level 3. Kingston College also provides a broad range of vocational qualifications. For young people with SEND, there is strong provision in special schools, with efforts underway to expand vocational opportunities, including supported internships and traineeships. The development of a Post-16 Campus for young people with SEND is a priority, though a suitable site is still being sought. The committee also heard about initiatives to support young people who have not achieved the required qualifications, such as GCSE re-takes and the Catalyst programme for functional skills.

Adult Social Care Priorities 2026 to 2029

The committee approved the strategic priorities for adult social care for 2026-2029. These priorities are built on extensive engagement with residents, carers, and families across the borough and aim to deliver the council's vision of putting people at the heart of its services. Key themes include staying independent and living well, increasing choice and control over care, valuing and supporting unpaid carers, working collaboratively with health, voluntary, and community partners, and ensuring clear information, advice, and guidance. The priorities also address the transition from children's services to adult social care, skills and employment opportunities, and fair and equal access to services. The council's adult social care service had previously achieved a Good rating in its 2025 CQC inspection.

Children and Young People's Plan

The committee endorsed the progress made in delivering the actions set out in the 2024-2027 Children and Young People's Plan. The plan, developed by and for young people, aims to make Kingston a happy, healthy, safe, and fair place to grow up. The report highlighted achievements in areas such as mental health support, with the Getting it On website reaching over 372,000 young people with its exam stress campaign. Progress was also noted in community safety, with the Youth Council organising a Crime and Safety Conference and contributing to the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy. The committee also endorsed working with children and young people to identify the best approach for ensuring their voices are heard and included in council plans, noting that the UK Committee for Unicef will no longer oversee the Child Friendly Cities and Communities Programme.

SEND Futures Plan

The committee noted the progress made in implementing the SEND Futures Plan and that the Local Area SEND Reform Plan will be incorporated into a new SEND Futures Plan once approved by the Department for Education. Improvements in the timeliness of annual reviews were highlighted, with 72% of decisions now made within four weeks, an increase from 57%. The transfer of Tier 2 CAMHS to South West London St George's Mental Health Trust is complete, with an independent provider commissioned to help reduce waiting lists. Feasibility studies for new Specialist Inclusion Bases at The Kingston Academy and Richard Challoner Catholic Secondary School are underway. The Local Area SEND Reform Plan, submitted to the Department for Education, aims to strengthen inclusion, improve access to local placements and specialist support, enhance system leadership and partnership collaboration, and encourage inclusive cultures and behaviours. Challenges remain regarding the recruitment of specialist therapy roles and NHS budget pressures.

Motion on Protecting patients prescribed cannabis based products for medicinal use

The committee noted the contents of a motion regarding the protection of patients prescribed cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) and the officer comments. The motion, originally proposed by Councillor James Giles and seconded by Councillor Yvonne Tracey, called for increased awareness and understanding of CBPMs, distinguishing them from illegal cannabis, and ensuring that patients are not discriminated against when accessing services. Officer comments indicated that CBPM use in Kingston is very low and that the council does not regulate licensed premises or enforce the Equality Act within them. While CBPM prescription is not a barrier to council accommodation or services, the motion's requests for guidance, policy reviews, and writing to the police and housing providers were noted as requiring significant officer capacity not currently budgeted for. The committee resolved to note the motion and officer comments.