by political editor Paul Francis

Some of Kent’s vulnerable children could be placed at private boarding schools under plans being put forward by social services chiefs.

Kent County Council is considering paying for a small number of looked after children to attend boarding schools under an assisted boarding scheme.

The council says the policy could help families under strain that are struggling to cope financially, physically or emotionally and provide children with a chance to succeed academically.

Talks are already under way with a state-funded boarding school in Surrey, the Royal Alexandra and Albert School in Reigate.

The school has about 60 children who pay no fees and are offered places on the basis of recommendations from either social workers or primary school teachers.

Talks are also planned with a number of other fee-paying boarding schools in Kent, including Canterbury’s Kings’ School, Ashford School, Bethany School and St Edmunds in Canterbury.

KCC says the scheme would be suitable for those children who are under care orders but still living in the family home and believe it could boost standards.

It anticipates around 25 children aged 10-12 could be suitable for the scheme.

Cllr Jenny Whittle (Con), cabinet member for specialist children’s services, said: "A boarding school placement could provide the stability for a child during term time. I feel passionately that we could do things in a different way."

The potential costs for a child could be between £5,000 and £8,000 a year but that compared favourably with the costs of residential care in a children’s home where average costs to the authority £2,895 a week.