Views wanted on new model for Specialist Teaching and Learning Service

The STLS works mainly with SENCOs in mainstream settings, providing advice, support and training for early years settings and schools to provide good inclusive education to children and young people with SEND.

Changes to legislation across the country and government policy have shaped the new ways of working in Kent as we continue to adapt and improve the services that we provide to support children and young people with SEND. The STLS is currently commissioned from the 12 maintained Special Schools in Kent through a service level agreement that ends on 31 August 2025.

As the transformation of SEND services continues, and the current service level agreement comes to an end, an opportunity arises to examine how STLS might better fit within these new ways of working, whether there are gaps the service might fill, how it can support children to achieve the outcomes important to them, and how it might contribute to a financially sustainable model for the future. We want to ensure schools are getting the best value for the annual investment of £5.9m.

The purpose of this public consultation is to understand in more detail how the STLS might contribute to the transformation and enhancement of our SEND services.

We are particularly interested to hear from a wide range of roles within schools, and from professionals and settings, but also want to hear from parents and other members of the public.

You can have your say by visiting the STLS consultation webpage by Sunday 3 November.

If you have any questions or require any of the consultation material in hard copy, please email Inclusion@kent.gov.uk.

For alternative formats and languages, email alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 42 15 53 (text relay service number: 18001 03000 42 15 53). This number goes to an answering machine, which is monitored during office hours.