Staffing levels at a pupil referral unit service could be significantly reduced, meaning more disruptive children will be expected to stay in mainstream schools.

A consultation is under way into the running of the North West Kent Alternative Provision Service, which has five sites across Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley and provides short-term respite placements for pupils aged five to 14 and longer placements for pupils aged 14 to 16.

According to consultation documents seen by the Messenger, the new proposal being discussed with staff would see the majority of services moved to The Limes in Brent Lane, Dartford, and the remaining sites closed with the exception of one “hub” in Gravesend.

The number of teaching staff would be reduced from 21 to 10 and the number of pupil support staff from 25 to 13.

The service deals with pupils with a number of challenging behaviours, some of whom have been excluded from school, and on occasions some pupils have needed to be restrained by staff to protect themselves or others from harm.

The reduction in staff numbers is likely to raise questions about whether pupils can be safely restrained while the rest of the class is adequately supervised.

But the solution to that problem seems to be to expect mainstream schools to keep more troubled pupils rather than sending them to the unit.

An extract from the consultation document reads: “The new service we envisage is predicated on an expectation that all schools will play a more active role in the inclusion of students and reduce the number permanently removed to the pupil referral unit.”

The document goes on to say that in the academic year 2015/16 the service catered for in excess of 95 students across all the centres.

Under the new proposals it would cater for 48 Key Stage 4 pupils, aged 14 to 16, which would include teaching them employability skills as well as standard education; 24 Key Stage 3 pupils, aged 11 to 14; and eight Key Stage 2 pupils, aged seven to 11 – a total of 80 pupils.

Counsellors and therapists who currently work with pupils do not feature in the list of new posts.

“Service support staff”, such as caretakers and office staff, would be reduced from six to four.

The Limes is a former care home in a residential area now used as a centre for Year 11 pupils.

A Kent County Council spokesman said: “There is currently a consultation under way with staff and trade unions about proposed changes to the pupil referral unit service in north west Kent.

“At this early stage the consultation is confidential to the staff involved, which is normal procedure for a staff restructure.

“Pupil referral units educate the most vulnerable children in Kent, therefore these changes take into account the appropriate professional support needed to ensure the safety of staff and pupils and that the service meets its key objectives.

“As the staff consultation progresses, information will be shared with the relevant staff groups.

"The Limes is owned by Kent County Council and has recently had building work completed to address both water hygiene and boiler issues. There are some further works which are required to the building to ensure that it is fit for purpose.

“This includes the removal of some walls to address current health and safety concerns.”