The Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee met on Tuesday 17 March 2026 to discuss a range of important issues affecting children and young people in Kent. Key decisions were made regarding the replacement of modular classrooms at Dover Grammar School for Girls, the admission arrangements for the 2027-28 academic year, and new agreements for specialist resource provisions. The committee also reviewed performance monitoring, risk management, and the contract register.

Verbal Updates from Cabinet Members

Councillor Fordham provided an extensive update on her activities, highlighting visits to numerous schools across Kent, including primary, secondary, grammar, and specialist settings. She detailed work on inclusion in mainstream schools, outreach models, and alternative provisions such as GGA in Dartford and Woodpecker Court. Councillor Fordham also discussed the ongoing consultation for the SEND reform, with proposals due to the Department for Education (DfE) by June. A significant focus was placed on the decision to bring the Specialist Teaching and Learning Service (STLS) back in-house to create a more effective model of support for schools and early-year settings. This move aims to align services with the Accelerated Progress Plan, which contains 116 improvement projects. Despite assurances that there were no cuts to the STLS service, a strike was ongoing due to disagreements over terms and conditions and engagement practices.

Councillor Palmer reported a quieter period for visits but noted significant work in the background for children's services, with plans for family hubs and online safety training for parents. She addressed media reports concerning budget cuts, clarifying that efficiency savings, not cuts, were being made in fostering and disabled children's services. The committee was informed about changes in youth justice work, with the police updating their IT system to ensure vital information is provided for a more child-centred policing method. Councillor Palmer also confirmed that all family hubs across the county are secured for the next three years.

Performance Monitoring

Catherine Atkinson presented the performance monitoring report, highlighting improvements in the completion of educational psychology assessments within six weeks, which is expected to positively impact the 20-week EHCP completion rate in the coming months. The number of cases open for more than 20 weeks had significantly reduced. The report also noted an increase in the percentage of annual reviews waiting less than 12 months, a positive shift from previous years. Changes to Integrated Children's Services (ICS) indicators were discussed, including a move to a national measure for children in care in foster placements and a revised indicator for case-holding staff to reflect presence and availability rather than just qualification. The issue of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) was also raised, with a commitment to maintaining a low target despite national increases.

Dover Grammar School for Girls: Replacement of Modular Classrooms

A decision was made to endorse the full replacement of modular classrooms at Dover Grammar School for Girls at a cost of approximately £1.4 million. This project is part of the wider school modernisation programme. Concerns were raised about the initial mention of a lack of consultation with the school, but it was clarified that the school had been heavily involved in the process. The site's constraints were noted as a factor in the cost, with plans to build new modular buildings on unused land before demolishing the old ones to free up space.

Admission Arrangements and Scheme for 2027-28 Academic Year

The committee endorsed the admission arrangements and scheme for primary and secondary schools for the 2027-28 academic year. This annual decision involves setting out the process for allocating school places, adhering to the School Admissions Code. The proposed changes include a reduction in the intake (planned admission number or PAN) for five primary schools and one junior school, driven by expected lower demand in those areas and the need to protect schools from having insufficient numbers to operate effectively. While concerns were raised about potential future demand, it was explained that PANs can be reinstated if forecasts are incorrect. The committee also requested information on the number of places offered by grammar schools to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

New Agreements for Specialist Resource Provisions, Specialist Post-16 Institutions, and Pupil Referral Units

New legally binding agreements for specialist resource provisions (SRPs), specialist post-16 institutions (SPIs), and pupil referral units (PRUs) were proposed. These agreements aim to provide a consistent framework for managing quality and standards across these services, particularly for academy trusts where direct intervention powers are limited. While the committee endorsed the decision, some members expressed a lack of clarity on the specific details of the contracts and how effectiveness would be measured. It was confirmed that details regarding curriculum, staffing, inclusion outcomes, and transition would be provided. The report also touched upon the planned increase of 889 new specialist places by 2030, with some of these being new schools and others expansions.

Proposed Revision of Rates Payable and Charges for Children's Social Care Services 2026-2027

The committee endorsed the proposed revision of rates payable and charges for children's social care services for 2026-2027. This annual report confirms payment rates for in-house services, including foster carers, special guardianship payments, and payments for carers under the Kent Supported Homes service. The proposed rates are to be increased in line with the prevailing CPIH index of 4.1%, with some exceptions for fixed rates or those aligned with national uplifts. A wider review of the foster care offer is underway.

Young Carers Commissioning of a New Contract

A new contract for young carers' services was commissioned. This statutory service, historically provided by the voluntary and community sector, will have an initial term of four years with two optional two-year extensions. The future model will be co-designed with young carers to reflect current needs and budget availability. Concerns were raised about the time support officers spend in the home, with the response indicating that the duration depends on individual circumstances, ranging from signposting to more intensive support.

Contract Register: Children, Young People and Education

The annual presentation of the contract register for children's services was noted. This register details contracts with financial or legal obligations for the council. Contracts are tiered based on their impact, with gold rated contracts receiving additional oversight. The report highlighted that only one bidder was available for the low and transitional need supported accommodation service, prompting a discussion about actively seeking other providers for future procurement.

Risk Management: Children, Young People and Education

The committee reviewed the annual presentation of corporate risks relevant to the Children, Young People and Education directorate. A significant risk related to the council's financial deficit has been rated at the highest level, reflecting ongoing challenges despite efforts to reduce overspends. The report also addressed the risk of insufficient Ofsted-registered providers for children and young people with complex needs, noting that the market is adapting to smaller, more specialised units. The committee also discussed the ongoing safety valve arrangements and the lack of clarity on future government funding.

SACRE Annual Report 2024-2025

The Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) annual report for 2024-2025 was presented for information. The report details the advice given by SACRE to the local authority and actions taken to support religious education and collective worship across Kent, using the Kent agreed syllabus. The report has been circulated to KCC members, head teachers, chairs of governors, and published on KELSE. Members were invited to attend future SACRE meetings.

Work Programme

The committee noted the work programme, with an addition confirmed for a report on school maintenance to be presented at the May committee meeting.