The Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee met on Tuesday 20 January 2026 to discuss a range of important issues affecting children and young people in Kent. Key decisions included the proposed removal of a specialist resource provision at River Primary School in Dover, the increase in capacity at Ebbsfleet Green Primary School, and the acceptance of significant grant funding for the Best Start Family Hubs Programme. The committee also reviewed the draft revenue and capital budget for 2026-27 and the medium-term financial plan, alongside performance monitoring reports and proposals for Special Educational Needs (SEN) funding uplifts.

Proposal to Remove Specialist Resource Provision from River Primary School

The committee considered a proposal to remove the specialist resource provision (SRP) at River Primary School in Dover, which currently supports pupils with speech and language needs. Councillor Beverley Fordham, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, explained that the provision, commissioned in 2015 for 12 pupils, now only has four pupils, all of whom will move on to secondary school within two years. The Governing Body of River Primary School requested the removal of the SRP from September 2026.

The report highlighted that the Balanced System® initiative has improved mainstream schools' capacity to support pupils with speech and language needs, reducing the demand for specialist provision. Furthermore, there is an increasing need for SRPs to cater for pupils with broader communication needs, such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which River Primary School's current facilities are not well-suited to accommodate. The council is planning to commission new SRP places in Walmer and expand provision at Dover Christ Church Academy to meet these evolving needs.

Despite 45 out of 48 consultation responses being against the proposal, the school leaders believe that removing the SRP will allow them to reallocate resources to enhance SEND support within their 'Mainstream Plus' offer, benefiting a wider group of children. The council also noted that the current under-occupancy of the SRP represents poor value for money, with £80,000 to £100,000 per year being paid for vacant places. The committee endorsed the proposal to remove the SRP, with the understanding that support would continue for the remaining pupils.

Proposal to Increase Capacity at Ebbsfleet Green Primary School

The committee also discussed a proposal to increase the capacity at Ebbsfleet Green Primary School in Swanscombe, Kent, with an allocation of £1,200,000 from the Basic Need Capital Programme. This expansion is necessary to accommodate two bulge classes of 30 pupils admitted in September 2024 and September 2025, due to delays in the opening of a new primary school at Alkerden Church of England Academy.

The project involves the construction of a new modular building to provide three additional classrooms, along with necessary ancillary spaces. This will not only accommodate the bulge classes but also create a second nursery class, addressing a local need for early years places. In the longer term, these additional classrooms can be repurposed for SEND intervention spaces, potentially expanding the school's Specialist Resource Provision (SRP). The proposal was endorsed by the committee.

Best Start Family Hubs Programme Grant Award

A significant financial commitment was discussed with the acceptance of a three-year grant award of £15,354,500 for the Best Start Family Hubs Programme, covering financial years 2026-29. Councillor Christine Palmer, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services, presented the report, highlighting that this funding is a continuation of previous government investment aimed at supporting families and children in their early years.

The grant will support the ongoing delivery of Family Hubs in Kent, aligning with the existing adopted model and incorporating new programme requirements from the Department for Education (DfE) and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The funding will be distributed across various strands, including programme delivery, capital investment, perinatal mental health support, parenting programmes, infant feeding, and home learning environment initiatives. The decision to accept this grant was endorsed, as it aligns with the council's commitment to prevention and early intervention, supporting families before challenges escalate and contributing to the statutory target of 77% of children achieving a Good Level of Development by 2027/28.

Draft Revenue and Capital Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan

The committee reviewed the draft Capital Programme 2026-36, Revenue Budget 2026-27, and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2026-29. Dave Shipton, Head of Finance Policy, Planning and Strategy, presented the proposals, noting that the budget aimed to balance the council's finances for 2026-27. He highlighted the significant challenge of a £200 million deficit, which is being offset by contributions from reserves, savings, and income generation. The budget publication has been simplified for user-friendliness, with an interactive member dashboard available for detailed scrutiny.

Significant concerns were raised regarding the forecast in-year overspend on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for Special Educational Needs (SEN) in 2026-27, estimated at £75 million. This, combined with accumulated deficits, projects a deficit of over £130 million by March 2026. The uncertainty surrounding future government funding for SEN and the resolution of these deficits remains a major financial risk for the council. The committee noted the draft budget proposals.

Performance Monitoring

Katherine Atkinson, Assistant Director of Management Information and Intelligence, presented the performance monitoring report. It was noted that while overall results were in line with national averages, there were regional variations within Kent. Improvements were highlighted in the educational psychology service's ability to issue assessments within six weeks, with performance rising to 25.3% in November. Questions were raised about the six-week internal metric for educational psychology assessments and the constraints faced in meeting the 20-week statutory assessment timeframe. The committee noted the report.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Funding 2026-27 Payment Uplifts

Councillor Beverley Fordham introduced the report on SEN funding for 2026-27, noting the government's confirmation that the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) would be frozen at 2025-26 levels. This lack of uplift, coupled with rising costs and demand, means the council faces a significant overspend and an accumulated deficit of approximately £136 million by March 2026. The report outlined the complexities of setting payment rates for SEN providers, balancing inflationary pressures with the council's financial constraints and the uncertainty of future government funding.

Concerns were raised about the impact of these funding freezes on schools and the potential for further deficits. The committee noted the update, acknowledging that the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills would make the final decision on SEN payment rates.

Work Programme

The committee noted the work programme for the upcoming year.

Other Decisions

The committee also noted the verbal updates from Councillor Fordham (Cabinet Member for Education and Skills) and Councillor Palmer (Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services). Councillor Fordham detailed her visits to various schools, including Oakfield School and EKC on the Isle of Sheppey, highlighting their inclusive practices and vocational training models. Councillor Palmer provided an update on family hubs, confirming that 53 hubs are secured for the next three years with central government funding, and outlined their core offer focusing on perinatal mental health, early intervention, and conflict resolution.

The committee endorsed the proposal to remove the specialist resource provision at River Primary School, Dover, and approved the increase in capacity at Ebbsfleet Green Primary School. They also noted the draft budget proposals and performance monitoring reports, and agreed to the work programme. The acceptance of the Best Start Family Hubs Programme grant funding was also endorsed, providing a significant financial boost for early years support across Kent. The committee was updated on the challenging financial situation regarding SEN funding, with a projected deficit of £136 million by March 2026, and noted the ongoing uncertainty surrounding future government funding arrangements.