KCC Elections Part 1: The Care of Children and Young Adults

Kent County Council (KCC), like all local authorities in England, has a weighty responsibility: to care for children and young adults. Under the Children Act 1989, KCC is legally required to take reasonable steps to prevent children in its area from suffering ill-treatment or neglect. For young adults, this duty stretches up to the age of 25 for certain services. Essentially, KCC is like a very responsible, slightly overworked parent who’s legally required to keep the kids safe, fed, and entertained—no small feat given there are more than a few thousand of them! It’s a bit like Superman, but with more bureaucracy and fewer bedtime stories—because even the Man of Steel can’t be everything, everywhere, all at once.

For the children and young adults ‘looked after’, KCC steps into the role of corporate parent. This isn’t about CEOs hosting sleepovers (though that would be an interesting team-building exercise); it’s about the collective responsibility of the council, its employees, its Cllrs and partner agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of these children regardless of who they are or where they are from. It’s a big job and it’s less about capes and more about spreadsheets, less about leaping tall buildings and more about navigating the labyrinth of regulations. And while Superman might save the day in a single bound, KCC’s heroics are measured in careful planning, audits, and ensuring every child gets a fair shot at a decent childhood. Not quite as flashy, but arguably just as heroic—just without the theme music.

Now, let’s talk about money, because nothing says “local government” like a deep dive into spending data. KCC staff, at a certain pay grade, in the Children, Young People & Education Directorate, led by Sarah Hammond, have access to purchase cards (Visa cards, no less) for certain expenses. These cards are tightly controlled, with limits on spending and categories of expenditure. It’s not exactly James Bond-level security, but it’s a system designed to ensure accountability and prevent anyone from accidentally funding a trip to the moon.

The purchase card (Visa Cards) data April 2024 – February 2025, reveals some fascinating details about how KCC supports children and young adults, including those seeking asylum. For example, there’s been some media fuss about asylum-seeking children receiving £30,000 for driving lessons, funded by the Home Office, not KCC. Critics have called this an “outrage.” But wait—non-asylum children in care also received £312 for driving lessons, fund by KCC Taxpayers; and Asylum children have received £332 for driving lessons(funded by the government), according to the published spend data on the KCCs purchase cards. That’s a £20 difference. Is £20 really worth the outrage? Probably not, unless you’re the kind of person who gets worked up over a missing fries in your fast-food order.

Similarly, the data shows that both asylum (funded by government) and non-asylum children and young adults funded by KCC) have enjoyed trips to Bluewater, Cineworld, Hollywood Bowl, and Howletts Wild Animal Park. Non-asylum children received £1,108.47 for these outings, while asylum-seeking children received £1,031.21. That’s a difference of £77.26. Is this disparity worth clutching pearls over? Unlikely. Unless, of course, you’re deeply invested in the idea that one group of children should have 77 fewer pounds’ worth of fun than another.

When it comes to the Hotel spend in the KCC purchase card data  for children aged 16+, the spending split is more pronounced: £11,571.07 for non-asylum children and £2,546.78, funded by the government for asylum children, not Kent taxpayers. This isn’t about holidays—it’s about providing a roof over their heads during a challenging transition to adulthood. And let’s be honest, transitioning to adulthood is hard enough without adding homelessness to the mix. According to a three-year study by the Resolution Foundation, one in three 18- to 24-year-olds report symptoms of mental health problems like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, compared to one in four in 2000. So, a stable living situation isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

The KCC purchase card spending data we’ve examined must meet the criteria of being Justifiable, Appropriate, Proportionate, Auditable, and Necessary (JAPAN), before it is spent. Regardless of the amount spent or who it’s spent on, the principle is clear: all children in care deserve the same support and opportunities. Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking (UAS) children cannot be treated differently from other looked-after children. They are entitled to the same care, the same chances to thrive, and the same experiences that every child in care nationally receives. After all, isn’t that what all parents want for their children? Stable lives, good health, and support during transitions are essential, but children will only achieve their potential through the ambition and high expectations of everyone involved in their lives at KCC.

As many of us who are older may recall, the transition to adulthood is a tumultuous time: leaving education, entering the labour market, living independently, and managing finances all come with their stresses and strains, regardless of the decade. It’s a universal experience, like realizing too late that you’ve run out of milk for your tea.

Given this, the media should remind all those throwing their hats into the ring for the upcoming KCC elections not to exploit children or young adults, regardless of their origin, as political footballs. Whether they’re in care or have fled war-torn countries, these young people deserve empathy and support, not political point-scoring. After all, some of these individuals come from places where UK taxpayers’ money has, indirectly or directly, contributed to the conflicts they’ve escaped. It’s a sobering thought, and one that should encourage a bit more compassion and a lot less grandstanding.

Let’s remember that KCC has no control over national issues like border control, immigration, defence, policing, or the NHS. These are matters for Westminster. So, while it’s easy to point fingers at local councils, perhaps we should save our outrage for the bigger picture—and maybe, just maybe, focus on ensuring all children and young adults, regardless of their background, get the support they need to thrive.

Finally, KCC is doing its best to care for some of the most vulnerable in our society. Is there such a thing as a perfect parent, or even a corporate parent?” Probably not. But are they spending taxpayer money responsibly while trying to make a difference? The data strongly suggests yes. And if that means KCC “looked after” kids get to go bowling, learn to drive, or visit Howletts Wild Animal Park, well, that’s hardly an outrage—it’s just good parenting. Corporate parenting, that is.

The Shepway Vox Team

Dissent is NOT a Crime