Agenda item

1. Mrs Fordham, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, gave a verbal update on the following:
   1. Mrs Fordham undertook numerous visits to both mainstream and special educational schools, as well as to services supporting young people experiencing homelessness and in need of assistance.
   2. On 14th August, Mrs Fordham visited Tunbridge Girls' Grammar School for A- Level results day, where she offered her congratulations to students on their achievements. She also highlighted the availability of resources for those requiring additional support.
   3. Mrs Fordham attended GCSE results day at St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School, expressing her congratulations for the students’ academic outcomes and their commendable behaviour and attendance records. She shared her enthusiasm about returning to the school in the future.
   4. Mrs Fordham visited the Home to School transport system operating in Aylesford, emphasising the importance of its efficiency and effectiveness. She commended staff for their efforts in preparing the Q Roots system for its phased introduction in September 2025 and expressed her intention to return to observe its progress and further implementation.
   5. In relation to the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programmes, Mrs Fordham visited DDivine in Northfleet, where she praised the work being done and emphasised the significance of such services. Following the Government’s announcement of continued funding for three more years, she committed to visiting more providers to explore how KCC could help expand the programme to benefit more children.
   6. Mrs Fordham visited the Amber Foundation in Ashford, a charity supporting young adults transitioning out of homelessness. She engaged with the young people to hear their stories and gain insight into how the service had positively impacted their lives.
   7. Mrs Fordham visited CLS at Oakford House to review the provision and funding available for adult education. In light of reductions in Government funding, she noted the shift towards skill-based courses designed to prepare students for employment.
   8. Mrs Fordham visited Nexus School, the only provision in Tunbridge and Malling for children with highly complex needs. She stressed the importance of ensuring that the needs of children with disabilities were fully considered when planning educational provisions.

2. In response to comments and questions it was said:
   1. Due to the timing of the local elections, Mrs Fordham had limited opportunity to visit schools during term time. She prioritised visits to special educational needs schools in light of upcoming decisions. Over the following year, she planned to visit schools that had begun implementing inclusive practices, with the aim of observing best practice and gathering feedback.
   2. Mrs Fordham emphasised that the cost of home-to-school transport was not the primary concern, rather the individual needs of each child were the key factor in decision-making. Work was ongoing to identify the most efficient ways to meet those needs.
   3. Officers were asked to provide a Member with details regarding the number of providers offering activity fund and HAF programmes during the summer holiday period.
   4. Mrs Fordham explained that a home-to-school transport information session had been scheduled to give Members a comprehensive overview of the entire process.

3. Mrs Palmer, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, gave a verbal update on the following:
   1. Mrs Palmer met with directors and staff within her portfolio, accompanied by her Deputy Cabinet Member. An Education Grant Scheme of up to two million pounds was successfully secured for Project Athena, which aimed to develop provisions for children with complex mental health needs and challenging behaviour.
   2. Mrs Palmer wrote to Janet Daby, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, inviting her to visit KCC and witness the dedication of Directors and Officers. In her letter, Mrs Palmer praised the staff’s efforts in improving the lives of cared-for children and requested a discussion on the high fees charged by independent fostering agencies.
   3. Mrs Palmer and her Deputy Cabinet Member attended the Virtual School Kent (VSK) award ceremonies, where she highlighted the vital role played by the Virtual School in supporting children and young people.
   4. Mrs Palmer visited the KCC Youth Council and commended the council’s efforts in generating ideas and working proactively to bring them to fruition.
   5. In August, Mrs Palmer visited the Young Lives Foundation to observe the work of volunteers supporting young attendees. She particularly praised the organisation’s impressive advocacy service.
   6. During her visit to Fairlawn Short Breaks Unit, Mrs Palmer emphasised the essential nature of the service provided there.
   7. Mrs Palmer announced the opening of two new reception centres in Kent, Conners House in Canterbury and Aspen Lodge in Deal. She emphasised the importance of delivering high-quality care and support to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC), while ensuring full compliance with all relevant legislation.
   8. The Suicide, Self-Harm and Prevention Strategy 2026–2030 was due to enter its consultation phase. The strategy aimed to significantly reduce the number of suicides in Kent and Medway, with the goal of bringing figures below the national average by 2030, if not sooner.
   9. Mrs Palmer was scheduled to attend the Big Mental Health Talk Conference in October.

4. In response to comments and questions it was said:
   1. Project Athena aimed to secure four residential units for looked-after children in Kent. Each unit was designed to provide two beds for children with the most profound emotional wellbeing challenges. The initiative sought to bring the service in-house, reducing reliance on the private sector. KCC was on track to purchase two units and Mr Kasaven believed the service was progressing well towards having all four units operational by September 2026.
   2. Project Athena was funded through capital investment secured from the Department for Education (DfE), which was added to the agreed capital allocation for the four residential units. Officers expressed their willingness to provide ongoing feedback and updates on the project to the Committee.
   3. Mrs Palmer had not yet visited Conners House but intended to visit as many reception centres as possible in the future. She reassured Committee Members that the team remained committed to safeguarding both staff and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC).

RESOLVED that the verbal updates were noted.