Understanding the STLS Industrial Action: A Recent Overview
In late February 2024, Specialist Teaching and Learning Service (STLS) staff in Kent undertook industrial action in the form of a strike. The National Education Union (NEU) members within STLS organised this action as a response to changes in employment arrangements and working conditions following STLS’s transfer to Kent County Council (KCC). The strike drew attention to concerns over consultation processes and the impact of ongoing reforms within the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provision in Kent.
Kent County Council’s Official Position: Setting the Record Straight
Kent County Council respects the right of staff to participate in industrial action while simultaneously asserting that it has maintained open communication lines throughout the reform process. KCC emphasises its commitment to a fair and effective consultation process with STLS staff and their representatives.
Addressing Claims of Missed Consultations
KCC states that extensive consultations took place prior to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) transfer of STLS from the special schools to the council, which occurred on 1 September 2023. In addition to pre-transfer engagements, ongoing discussions with staff and union representatives have continued since. KCC rejects claims that consultation was insufficient or rushed, highlighting that the changes follow patterns common with local authority service alignments, particularly concerning terms and conditions of teachers employed by KCC.
Why Service Reform is Essential for STLS
The council explains that the decision to reform STLS stemmed from pressing needs within Kent’s SEND provision. KCC argues that maintaining the status quo with STLS services “alone” in special schools is no longer sustainable and does not meet the requirements of a system needing better integration, earlier intervention, and stronger mainstream inclusion. The transformation aims to improve service delivery and outcomes for children and young people with SEND across Kent.
The Broader Landscape: Kent’s SEND System Overhaul
Kent’s SEND services have been undergoing a significant overhaul following critical findings from inspections by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). These inspections identified areas requiring urgent improvement, leading to the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care issuing a government Improvement Notice in 2023.
Ofsted and CQC Findings: The Catalyst for Change
The 2023 inspection raised serious concerns about how Kent’s SEND services were operating, noting delays, inconsistencies, and insufficient support for children and young people. The Improvement Notice demanded that KCC implement a root-and-branch overhaul to tackle systemic failures. KCC highlights that the Improvement Notice was officially lifted in August 2024 following significant progress. The council underscores that these reforms are part of a sustained commitment to achieving better outcomes.
Aligning with National SEND Reforms
Kent’s reforms reflect broader national initiatives focused on strengthening early intervention services and promoting mainstream inclusion for children with SEND. This includes revising service level agreements (SLAs) and adopting new working practices aligned with government recommendations, aiming to provide more timely assessments and personalised support.
The TUPE Transfer of STLS: What it Means for Staff
On 1 September 2023, STLS staff were formally transferred from employment by various special schools to Kent County Council under TUPE regulations. TUPE is a legal process designed to protect employees’ terms and conditions when there is a change of employer. This process means that although staff remain largely on their previous teachers’ terms and conditions, certain day-to-day working arrangements require alignment with KCC’s broader local authority context and practices.
KCC clarifies that this realignment has prompted necessary changes but reassures that it has sought to protect core employment conditions and worked with unions during the transition period.
KCC’s Efforts Towards Resolution and Disappointment
Kent County Council reports that it has engaged in multiple meetings and negotiations with the NEU seeking to avoid industrial action and resolve the dispute amicably. Despite these efforts, the council expresses disappointment over the NEU’s approach, particularly the use of social media to air grievances, which KCC believes has hampered constructive dialogue.
Prioritising Continuity of Support for Kent’s Children
Throughout the industrial action and reform process, KCC reiterates its commitment to maintaining continuous support for schools, early years settings, and children with SEND. The council reports working closely with schools and alternative providers to minimise disruption, ensuring timely access to essential specialist advice and support for children and young people.
What This Means for Kent’s Schools and Families
The recent STLS industrial action and associated service reforms represent a period of change for Kent’s education community. Parents and carers of children with SEND can expect the council to continue prioritising inclusive, effective support underpinned by the SEND system’s national reform agenda. Schools may experience temporary adjustments in service provision during the transition but should anticipate improved coordination and outcomes in the long term.
Kent County Council’s position is that these necessary changes will better meet the needs of children with SEND, delivering earlier interventions and stronger inclusion in mainstream settings, while safeguarding staff employment rights and encouraging partnership working across Kent.
