Following industrial action by the Specialist Teaching and Learning Service (STLS) on – 25 February 2026, Kent County Council (KCC) has released the following statement.

A KCC spokesperson said: “We respect the lawful right of staff to take industrial action – but it is important that the public record accurately reflects the actions of all parties. The claim that KCC has failed to consult with staff around their working arrangements is simply incorrect.

"Prior to the TUPE transfer of STLS into KCC on 1 September 2025, a full and formal staff consultation was undertaken, alongside a previous public consultation on the future model of the service. We have also continued structured engagement with staff and unions since the transfer.

“Calls by the NEU to ‘leave STLS alone’ unfortunately do not reflect the reality of the demands and expectations placed on those delivering support for pupils with SEND. Kent’s SEND system has undergone a root‑and‑branch overhaul following well‑documented shortcomings identified by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, which led to a government Improvement Notice in 2023 (lifted in August 2024 after sustained progress). Reforming how support is delivered –including STLS – is essential to deliver better outcomes for children and families.

“Nationally, the Government has announced long‑overdue, system‑wide SEND reforms which strengthen early intervention, mainstream inclusion and access to specialist expertise. It would be neither responsible nor fair to exempt STLS from changes needed both locally and nationally.

“When STLS moved via a legal TUPE process from the 12 maintained special schools into KCC following the end of the Service Level Agreements on 31 August 2025, staff transferred on teachers’ terms and conditions. That remains the case. Bringing workers together from 12 different organisations means that is has been necessary to align day‑to‑day practice with those contractual standards in a local‑authority context – for example, focusing STLS on supporting schools through advice, training and capacity‑building.

“We are disappointed in the NEU’s decision to use social media to misrepresent the situation, particularly given the good‑faith discussions underway to resolve localised issues and the steps already taken to support individual staff. This approach does not reflect the constructive engagement we have sought throughout.

“On 24 February, KCC sent further representation to NEU to try and find an amicable solution to remove the need for strike action. To date, we have not received a response to these proposals.

“Our priority is continuity of support for schools and settings. We will keep services running, minimise disruption where possible and continue to act transparently and responsibly so that children and young people with SEND receive the timely, inclusive support they deserve.”

Source & picture credot: Kent County Council