Decision details

Proposed decision –to reduce the value of the core contract with The Education People in 2026/27 by £1.633m through changes to the service specification.

Reason for the decision

KCC’s contract with the Education People has been in place since 2018/19.  It provides for delivery of a range of KCC’s statutory functions, and to a much lesser extent, the provision of discretionary service. 

The County Council needs to respond to a range of challenges – financial, legislative, policy based and quality related.  It needs to ensure its resources are focused on delivering its statutory duties to suitable standard, and on meeting the changing policy objectives of both Government and the County Council.

The contract with TEP currently totals £9m.  Changes are required to reduce the contract cost to match the funding envelope available.

Options (other options considered but discarded)

The option of not looking closely at the TEP contract for efficiencies and service deliver changes to secure a contribution to the savings needed by KCC was discarded.  The services commissioned from it by KCC need to continue to evolve to meet the current demands and requirements of KCC.

How the proposed decision supports the Council’s Strategic Statement

The proposals align with Framing Kent’s Future, KCC’s strategic framework, in particular:

•    our commitment to maintaining KCC’s strategic role in supporting schools in Kent to deliver accessible, high quality education provision for all families, and
•    our commitment is to see significant improvements in the economy, connectivity, educational attainment, skills and employment rates and public health outcomes for deprived communities in coastal areas so that they improve faster than the rest of Kent to reduce the gaps.

The proposed decision supports “Securing Kent’s Future – budget recovery strategy”.  It contributes towards delivering the Service’s MTFP savings target, ensures value for money, and a sharp focusing of the available resources to delivering the Council’s statutory duties.

Decision:

As Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, and in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

a) reduce the value of the core contract with The Education People by £1.633m during 2026/27 through the changes to the service areas set out in the decision report; and

b) delegate authority to Interim Deputy Director Effectiveness, Sufficiency and Skills to take the necessary actions, including but not limited to, entering into and finalising the terms of relevant contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary, to implement the above decision.