Specialist Teaching and Learning Service Redesign

Update 19 January 2022
The proposals will now be discussed at the Children’s and Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 1 March 2022.


Update 30 December 2021
Thank you to those who took part in this consultation. The consultation report is now available on this page. The proposals will be discussed at the Children’s and Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 11 January 2022.


This consultation is seeking views on proposals for the future delivery of the Specialist Teaching and Learning Service (STLS) in Kent.

The joint OfSTED (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) and CQC (Care Quality Commission) inspection of services in early 2019 highlighted that too many children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) do not get the support they need in Kent. The Written Statement of Action identified the areas against which improvements need to be made.

Over the last year, families, early years settings, schools and practitioners have shared their views on how the STLS currently works. Whilst for the majority the experience has been positive, there are variations in the levels of support and therefore the experience of those who have accessed it.

This consultation reflects on the feedback received and puts forward proposals for the future delivery of the service. The ambition is to create a more consistent and equitable service across the county, as part of a network of support and interventions.

Have your say

Please read the Consultation document and then complete the questionnaire to give us your feedback on the proposals by Tuesday 7 December 2021.

Following initial feedback, we have added some clarification on Option 1 and Option 2 on the STLS structure. (The clarification can be downloaded from the Consultation Documents section).

Update 19 January 2022
The proposals will now be discussed at the Children’s and Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 1 March 2022.


Update 30 December 2021
Thank you to those who took part in this consultation. The consultation report is now available on this page. The proposals will be discussed at the Children’s and Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 11 January 2022.


This consultation is seeking views on proposals for the future delivery of the Specialist Teaching and Learning Service (STLS) in Kent.

The joint OfSTED (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) and CQC (Care Quality Commission) inspection of services in early 2019 highlighted that too many children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) do not get the support they need in Kent. The Written Statement of Action identified the areas against which improvements need to be made.

Over the last year, families, early years settings, schools and practitioners have shared their views on how the STLS currently works. Whilst for the majority the experience has been positive, there are variations in the levels of support and therefore the experience of those who have accessed it.

This consultation reflects on the feedback received and puts forward proposals for the future delivery of the service. The ambition is to create a more consistent and equitable service across the county, as part of a network of support and interventions.

Have your say

Please read the Consultation document and then complete the questionnaire to give us your feedback on the proposals by Tuesday 7 December 2021.

Following initial feedback, we have added some clarification on Option 1 and Option 2 on the STLS structure. (The clarification can be downloaded from the Consultation Documents section).