Issue - decisions

Decision: As Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, I agree to:

      I.         APPROVE amendments to the current Kent School Public Health Service Specification from April 2026 specifically:

(a)      the removal of the Children and Young People’s Counselling  

          Service, from the school health contract;

(b)      changes to target cohorts for Online Health Assessments,

(c)      increased flexibility to Whole School Approach offer

(d)      review and adaptation of the Emotional Wellbeing Package of Care to avoid duplication with Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) schools, better target need and improve outcome reporting;    

    II.         APPROVE the required expenditure, via the Public Health Grant, from April 2026 to April 2031 (with an option to extend for a further 5 years to 2036) to implement the amendments to the Kent School Public Health Service

   III.         APPROVE the establishment of a new standalone Therapeutic Support Service to support children and young people with mild to moderate emotional and mental health needs who are aged between school entry in Reception up to 19 years old. This service would be aligned with the wider Therapeutic Alliance model being procured by NHS Kent and Medway and be delivered as part of the Family Hub network. The service would commence from November 2025. 

  IV.         DELEGATE authority to the Director of public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health to implement the changes to the Kent School Public Health Service and undertake the required activity to establish a new standalone Therapeutic support service.

    V.         DELEGATE authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, to exercise relevant contract extensions and enter into relevant contracts or legal agreements; and  

  VI.         DELEGATE authority to the Director of Public Health, to take other necessary actions, including but not limited to allocating resources, expenditure, and entering into contracts and other legal agreements, as required to implement the decision.