Kensington and Chelsea ends school abuse training amid £108m cuts
A five-year contract supporting children's wellbeing and staff training has been terminated as part of budget savings.
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Kensington and Chelsea Council has ended a domestic abuse training contract for teachers and school staff as part of its 2026/27 to 2029/30 Budget Savings Plan. The contract supported the Healthy Schools London and Healthy Early Years London programmes, which aim to improve children's wellbeing.
Impact of Funding Reductions
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The termination of the contract is a direct consequence of the Government’s Fair Funding Review, which is projected to reduce the council's funding by £108 million over the next four years. This contract, which ran for five years, was a joint initiative with Westminster Council and had a combined cost of £1.14 million. The council stated this measure is one of several savings affecting services such as housing support, community investment, and environmental services.
Criticism and Concerns
Elizabeth Campbell, Conservative leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, attributed the funding challenges to decisions made by central government. She stated that residents would face service cuts and tax increases as a result of the Fair Funding Review. The council, alongside Westminster and Wandsworth councils, is urging the government to reconsider its funding plans. Westminster Council faces £100 million in reductions, and Wandsworth Council faces £84 million.
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Monica Press, Labour group leader, voiced concerns that cutting the Domestic Abuse Prevention programme would put vulnerable children at risk. She argued that training school staff to identify signs of abuse is a critical early intervention measure for child safety, and suggested the council prioritises its own financial issues over child protection.
Poverty and Inequality
The decision comes amid broader concerns about poverty within the borough. A recent report indicated that 33% of Kensington and Chelsea residents live in poverty, a figure seven percentage points higher than the London average. This situation exists despite the borough's generally high average income.
Next Steps
Kensington and Chelsea Council, along with Westminster and Wandsworth councils, has submitted a proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act. This action seeks a government review of the current funding plans, with the aim of securing a fairer financial settlement for the boroughs.
Questions this report answers
+Why has Kensington and Chelsea Council ended the domestic abuse training contract?
Kensington and Chelsea Council has ended the contract as part of its Budget Savings Plan for 2026/27 to 2029/30. This decision is a direct response to expected funding cuts of £108 million over four years, stemming from the Government’s Fair Funding Review.
+How much did the domestic abuse training contract cost?
The five-year contract cost Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster councils a combined total of £1.14 million. This expenditure is now being ended as part of the council's efforts to reduce spending.
+What are the wider implications of these budget cuts?
The council faces significant funding reductions, impacting various services including housing support, community investment, and environmental services. Critics also warn that ending the training program could put vulnerable children at risk by reducing early intervention capabilities.
+What are the councils doing about the funding cuts?
Kensington and Chelsea Council, along with Westminster and Wandsworth councils, has formally asked the government to reconsider its funding plans. They have submitted a proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act to address the financial challenges.
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