00:00You're doing the right thing by being out here today, making your voices heard, making sure KCC understands how serious
00:07this is.
00:08This morning, members of the Specialist Teaching and Learning Service, STLS, gathered outside County Hall in Matestone to protest changes
00:16to their roles and terms and conditions.
00:19This comes after the service's transfer to Kent County Council in August, with STLS members claiming that they were not
00:26properly consulted about the changes.
00:28Kent SEN advisory teachers are going on strike due to proposed plans over their working conditions, fearing that maybe there
00:36is no other option.
00:37This ballot is about the failure to consult. These members were working in schools until September. Now they've been brought
00:44back in-house. Their job has changed.
00:46KCC feel that they consulted properly. We don't believe that they did so, so we want them to properly consult
00:53on the changes to these job roles with our members.
00:56Our concerns are for the well-being of our children of Kent. We do have an increase. So many children
01:06that have special educational needs.
01:08Like I said, the disability side of it is we are safe, we are covered. However, it's the other children
01:15who are missing out.
01:17And it is these highly qualified teachers, experienced senior teachers, who have got additional qualifications, who are not being allowed
01:27to support the schools that they have supported for years.
01:33The Green Party confirmed its backing for the STLS, with councillors Stuart Geoffrey, Mark Hood and Paul Steptoo attending in
01:42support.
01:42I think STLS has been a great way of providing provision for SEND children, and at a fairly cost-effectively.
01:55So damaging it, and damaging the staff who work in it, is going to, I think, is going to increase
02:03cost pressures elsewhere within SEND.
02:06Kent County Council issued a statement denying the claims made by STLS members, saying,
02:11The claim that KCC has failed to consult with staff around their working arrangements is simply incorrect.
02:18A full and formal staff consultation was undertaken, alongside a previous public consultation on the future model of the service.
02:27We have also continued structured engagement with staff and unions since the transfer.
02:32So with strike action set to begin next week, the future of the specialist teaching and learning service remains uncertain,
02:40as efforts to reach a solution continue.
02:43Maisie Walker for KMTV, Maitstone.
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