6 February 2026 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

This week saw the publication of the Ofsted report from our short ILACS inspection (children’s social care) in October last year. This found our children’s services to be good overall.

The report contains many heartwarming comments, which capture the dedication and passion of our colleagues who strive daily, alongside yourselves, to keep the children of our County safe, secure and protected from harm. The opening comments of the report summarise the overall position well:

“Children remain at the core of a strong, and often exceptional, service in Kent. Those children that need help and protection benefit from services, which typically results in positive outcomes for them and their families. Children in care, including those who arrive in Kent as unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, receive a sensitive, compassionate and equitable service and some outstanding support that makes a positive difference to their lives. Maintaining family connections and creating lifelong links to significant people allows children in care the opportunity for stability and permanence.”

The report recognises that when children are referred to the front door because they need help and protection, they receive the right help at the right time; that our early help services continue to improve, with most children supported well, preventing the escalation of risk. Also, in relation to children missing education and those being home educated, that strong systems enable identification of those who may be at risk, and that appropriate action is taken when their needs are not being met.

Impressively the quality of support for children in care was found to have further strengthened, resulting in an outstanding judgement in this area. Given out position as the gateway to Europe and the challenges this brings because of the sheer number of unaccompanied children we need to take in to our care, this is an amazing feat. Inspectors found that decision to enter children in to care were made in a timely manner, and they leave care and return to families when it is right and safe to do so. The positive impact of kinship care arrangements and the increased number of these was noted.

Children in care achieve well educationally in Kent compared to regional and national benchmarks, something we can all be proud of.

Unfortunately, weaknesses were found in our support for care leavers. 53% of our care leavers are young adults who arrived with us as unaccompanied children and this growing proportion places us in a position unlike any other local authority in the country. This presents unique challenges for us and partner agencies, both practical and financial, in providing the range of support and services our care leavers need.  Doing so, will be a primary focus for us.

Best wishes

David Adams
Interim Deputy Director for Education: Sufficiency, Effectiveness and Skills