School advisors on strike due to disagreement with council.

Advisors in Kent who provide support to students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have begun strike action following disagreements regarding changes to their roles within the local council. The dispute revolves around modifications that were made after Kent County Council (KCC) assumed responsibility for these services.

Strike Details and Schedule

Staff members from the Specialist Teaching and Learning Services (STLS) under KCC initiated industrial action earlier this month. Five additional strike days have been planned, with the next walkout scheduled for March 4th, followed by further protests on March 10th and March 12th. These strikes follow an initial walkout that already took place in the first part of the month.

Staff Concerns Over Job Changes

Jill Ansell, the district lead for Maidstone within STLS, outlined that staff in the service have experienced significant changes to their roles following KCC's takeover in September. She explained that these modifications have directly impacted the staff's ability to provide essential support to schools and parents. Prior to the takeover, STLS staff worked across 12 special schools in Kent and were seconded to mainstream schools, but since the council became their direct employer, their roles have been altered.

Ansell emphasized that during the first day under the new structure, staff roles were immediately changed. In the first term after the transfer, STLS staff were restricted from visiting schools or communicating with school staff via email or phone, leaving schools without vital advisory support. This disruption resulted in a lack of SEND assistance for both parents and students, with some staff members reportedly leaving the service due to frustration and a feeling of being ignored.

Council Response and Legal Compliance

Kent County Council has defended its actions, stating that all changes were made legally and transparently. The council explained that the reason STLS staff were not initially working in schools was due to the need for updated Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks following their employment transfer. The council also highlighted that a comprehensive formal consultation process had taken place before the transfer, including public and staff consultations. Since the transfer, the council has continued to engage with both staff and unions through structured discussions to address concerns.

Impact on SEND Services

STLS advisors play a critical role in supporting both students and school staff in mainstream education settings. Their key responsibilities include:

• Providing advice and training to school staff on SEND issues.
• Helping schools improve their capacity to support SEND students.
• Maintaining engagement with parents and nurseries to ensure continuity of support for students.

Ansell noted that the recent changes to the service have greatly hindered staff’s ability to meet with parents or collaborate with nurseries, which has led to gaps in the support provided to SEND children and families. This disruption has exacerbated the challenges that these students already face.

Union Involvement and Statements

Nick Childs, the senior industrial organiser at the National Education Union (NEU), remarked that the STLS staff have faced “unacceptable changes” to their working conditions, which has led to the strike action. The NEU currently represents over 60 STLS staff members in Kent. Jill Ansell further clarified that the strike is not motivated by demands for increased pay but by a need for greater transparency and respect within the service. The union has emphasized that the aim is to restore the ability to perform essential duties rather than focus on financial gain.

In response to the ongoing situation, KCC has continued to engage in discussions with the NEU in an effort to resolve the dispute and prevent additional strikes. The council has reiterated its commitment to maintaining services and minimizing disruption for SEND students. KCC emphasized that it will continue to provide inclusive and timely support to children in need.

Government Plans and Context

The UK government lifted an improvement notice on Kent’s SEND provisions in 2024, signaling progress in the area. Recently, the government announced reforms for the SEND system in England, which includes reorganizing services like STLS in order to improve outcomes for SEND students and their families. These reforms highlight the government’s ongoing commitment to better supporting children with special educational needs across the country.

Summary

• STLS staff in Kent have taken strike action due to significant changes in their roles following the council's takeover of the service.
• Staff have been prohibited from visiting schools or communicating with staff, which has disrupted SEND support services.
• The council maintains that all actions were carried out legally and through a consultation process.
• The strike is centered on issues of transparency, respect, and the ability to fulfill existing duties, rather than demands for increased pay.
• Further walkouts are scheduled for early and mid-March.