The People Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday 17 September 2026 to discuss a range of important issues concerning adult social care, children and young people's services, and education. Key topics on the agenda include the strategic priorities for adult social care, an update on the Children and Young People's Plan, and plans for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Adult Social Care Priorities 2026-2029

The committee will consider the strategic priorities for adult social care for the period 2026 to 2029. This plan aims to ensure statutory compliance with the Care Act 2014¹ and aligns with the council's corporate objectives for a fairer, safer, and greener borough. The priorities have been developed following engagement with over 200 residents and focus on areas such as staying independent, increasing choice and control over care, supporting unpaid carers, and working collaboratively with health, voluntary, and community partners. The report outlines a vision for living well with a focus on early support and preventing the need for more intensive care in the future.

Children and Young People's Plan 2024-2027: Annual Update

An annual update on the 2024-2027 Children and Young People's Plan will be presented, detailing the ongoing delivery of initiatives designed to make Kingston a happy, healthy, safe, and fair place for children to grow up. The plan, which was co-produced by and for young people, focuses on four key themes: Being My Best Self (mental health and wellbeing), Staying Safe, Everyone Matters (equality and inclusion), and Looking After Our World (climate change). The report highlights progress made in areas such as emotional health support, physical activity opportunities, crime prevention initiatives, and promoting inclusive school environments. The committee will also consider an options appraisal regarding an alternative approach to Unicef Child Friendly Cities, concluding that the current Children and Young People's Plan effectively incorporates many of these principles.

SEND Futures Plan and Local Area SEND Reform Plan

The committee will receive an update on the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Futures Plan and the Local Area SEND Reform Plan. The SEND Futures Plan aims to improve the local area's ability to meet its statutory obligations for children and young people with SEND and to bring expenditure closer to the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) income. Progress has been made in areas such as annual review timeliness and the transfer of Tier 2 CAMHS services. The Local Area SEND Reform Plan, submitted to the Department for Education, outlines the transformation required by the national SEND reforms, focusing on mainstream inclusion and a tiered support model. The report notes challenges in recruiting specialist therapy staff and the impact of NHS budget positions on early intervention services. The committee will be asked to endorse the progress made and note that the Local Area SEND Reform Plan will be incorporated into a new SEND Futures Plan once approved by the Department for Education.

Post-16 Education Offer

The committee will be assured that there is a sufficiently broad local education and training offer to meet the needs of young residents aged 16 to 18, and up to age 25 for those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The report indicates a high rate of participation in sustained education, employment, and training for young people in Kingston. The assessment is that the current offer, encompassing school sixth-forms, Kingston College, apprenticeships, and specialist provision for young people with SEND, is suitable and sufficient to meet statutory responsibilities. The report details the range of A Level subjects, vocational qualifications, and apprenticeship opportunities available, as well as provision for students with SEND, including special schools, supported learning at Kingston College, and supported internships. Efforts are ongoing to expand vocational opportunities for young people with SEND, with a proposed Post-16 Campus for young people with SEND aiming to further strengthen local provision.

Motion on Protecting Patients Prescribed Cannabis-Based Products for Medicinal Use

The committee will consider a motion referred from the Council meeting on 14 July 2026, concerning the protection of patients prescribed cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs). The motion highlights that CBPMs are legally available under prescription and that many conditions for which they are prescribed can amount to disabilities under the Equality Act 2010. It argues that patients prescribed CBPMs should not be treated as though they are using illegal or recreational cannabis and that reasonable arrangements should be made for their lawful use. The motion calls for council services to be made aware of the legal status of CBPMs, for guidance to be prepared for frontline staff, and for policies to be reviewed to avoid discrimination. Officers' comments indicate that CBPM utilisation in Kingston is minimal and that the council does not regulate entry policies of licensed premises or enforce the Equality Act within them.