KCC gathers journalists ahead of Ofsted Report on Council's children's services
Kent faces 'unsustainable challenges' in children's services
Kent County Council is holding a media briefing today to address rising pressures on its children's services.
The briefing, at Sessions House in Maidstone, is led by Linden Kemkaran, Leader of Kent County Council, Chris Palmer, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, and Sarah Hammond, Statutory Director of Children’s Services.
Council leaders are highlighting the increasing strain on resources caused by national policies and funding arrangements. They say Kent has a disproportionate role in supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children compared to other areas, which affects wider services like support for care leavers.
The meeting comes ahead of the publication of Ofsted's latest report on Monday 2nd February, which is expected to assess the state of Kent’s Children’s Services.
Kent County Council has emphasised that today’s discussion aims to provide critical context regarding the realities faced by local services, the limitations of the current national framework, and the urgent need for meaningful changes to ease the burden.
Embargoed copies of the Ofsted report are not available, and neither Kent County Council nor Ofsted will be commenting publicly before Monday’s release at approximately 9am.
Further details of today's briefing are set to be revealed, outlining specific concerns around funding and the impact of national policies on Kent.