Minutes:
1. Mr Love provided his Cabinet Member Verbal Update as follows:
1.1 Exam Results Days
Congratulations were offered to pupils who received their GCSE, A Level and T Level results this Summer. A Level and T Level results were issued on 17.8.23, and GCSE results day was on 24.8.23.
Ms McInnes, Mrs Hamilton and Mr Love, visited Maidstone Grammar School for Girls on A Level results day. It was a privilege to be part of such an important moment for students at the School. A full breakdown of this year’s exam results for Kent was expected to be available in November.
1.2 Kent Test
The Kent Test took place on 7 September for pupils in Kent primary schools, and on 9 September for other pupils. The results would be available to parents and carers on 18.10.23 from 4pm.
1.3 Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) Update
Two Kent primary schools had to be closed at the start of the Autumn term pending confirmation from the Department for Education (DfE), that the mitigation measures implemented over the Summer were sufficient. Both schools were fully reopened on 6.9.23, following receipt of confirmation from the DfE. All of Kent's schools were now open. Thanks were offered to the Kent County Council (KCC) officers and school staff involved, their hard work minimised the level of disruption felt by pupils and parents. All costs associated with RAAC would be fully funded by the DfE, including the cost of repairs and costs incurred to mitigate the disruption to education.
1.4 Special Educational Needs (SEN) Home to School Transport
For the first time, 100% of SEN Home to School Transport applications received on time were processed in time for the start of the new school year. Thanks were offered to the Home to School Transport team for their efforts in ensuring a smooth start to the school year for pupils and parents.
1.5 New special schools
KCC’s application to establish two new special free schools in the County was approved last month by the Secretary of State for Education. This would be discussed later in the agenda.
2. Mrs Chandler provided her Cabinet Member Verbal Update as follows:
2.1 Family Hubs
The consultation would close on 13.9.23. An item on the outcome of the consultation and the proposed key decision would come to the Committee on 21.11.23. Members would have the opportunity to make comments and recommendations before it went to Cabinet on 30.11.23.
2.2 Understanding the Needs of Young Carers
There were over 10,000 young carers aged 5 to 18 in Kent, however, there could be more as many young people do not recognise themselves as young carers or young adult carers.
During September and October there would be a series of joint events from Adult and Children's Social Care to focus on the experiences of young carers and young adult carers. Officers and Members who would like to learn more could sign up for one of these sessions via the Delta Learning Portal.
2.3 Kent Academy Social Care Awards
On 26.09.23 the first Kent Academy Social Care Awards would take place at the Kent Event Centre in Detling. It provided an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the work undertaken by KCC staff from Integrated Children’s Services. Nominations came from clients and partner colleagues of children’s social care.
Due to a prior commitment Mrs Chandler was unable to attend the awards however, Mr Ross the Deputy Cabinet Member for Integrated Childrens Services would be in attendance to help present the awards.
2.4 Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Update
There were no major developments since the recent all Member update on the matter. The legal case was ongoing and a further full update would be given at the County Council meeting on 21.9.23.
3. In response to comments and questions from Members, the following points were noted: