Children in Sutton with special needs or disabilities are being promised “new and expanded support” in what the council is calling a local government first.

The borough’s authority says “more help is on the way” as a new service being launched will have a dedicated trading company set up.

PlayWise Learning, a community interest company (CIC), will aim to offer a range of additional services to families who have children up to the age of eight who didn’t meet old criteria for portage services.

After the move was agreed a strategy and resources committee meeting in January, it will soon become chargeable and available to Sutton residents.

Meanwhile, the current portage service will continue delivering free pre-school education for disabled children, as well as those with special educational needs, up to three years old at home.

The council says it’s the first portage service established this way, with its business plan getting “unanimous” cross-party backing.

Cllr Ruth Dombey, Sutton Council’s leader, said: “We hope this new Sutton company will become a leader in its field for children with special educational needs or disabilities.

“The move will ensure the long-term future of these services in Sutton by putting them on a secure commercial footing.

“More importantly, this will provide the service residents need at a time when all councils are facing increasing pressure to make cuts in care services.

“No other council is doing anything like this.

“I want to praise council staff for their ambition to build on the service’s excellent reputation and we can now hopefully ensure even more Sutton families benefit from their support.”

The £225,000 currently being spent on the council’s in-house service will still continue for at least the next two years “to give the new company time to get established”.

Cllr Tim Crowley, Sutton Council’s opposition leader, said: “We are pleased a solution has been found to keep this important service going for the vulnerable and disabled youngsters of the borough.

“Whilst we have had our concerns with the new governance arrangements of this spin-out, we now feel we have the reassurances in place to allow this company to move forward.

“We hope that both the clients and taxpayers will both be protected by this new venture.”

PlayWise Learning was incorporated on July 20 last year, according to the Government's Companies House database, and has two directors alongside one secretary.

Pamela Fry is serving as both a director and secretary, while Anne Eglin and Yvonne Charalambous are fulfilling its other two director roles.