A commitment that Sutton Council will have more control over its special needs services was made last week (Thursday, July 4).

But campaigners have accused the council of caring more about politics than vulnerable children.

It was prompted by a petition of more than 500 signatures calling for an independent review of the EHCP process in Sutton.

An education health care plan (EHCP) is a legal document that outlines the special educational needs of a child and any extra help that is required.

But before Sutton Council’s People Committee discussed the petition, chairwoman Councillor Marian James read out a statement.

She said: “I want to be clear that our service in Sutton is an improving service and not a failing service. I also want to be clear that we take every concern and every child seriously.

“We support almost 1,700 children in this borough with EHCPs, and many others benefit from informal support. In the interest of every one of those children, I am determined that we maintain the momentum of our improvement and the confidence of all our families and partners.”

She went on to say that Nick Ireland, strategic director of People at the council will become director of Cognus supported by other council officers who will join the board.

Cognus is the external company which runs all school support services and is almost wholly council owned.

Ms James said that an independent expert will also be appointed to answer the following questions:

Are our improvement plans progressing?

Is practice in Cognus aligned with our statutory duties?

Is the division of responsibilities between the council and Cognus the best operating model to deliver education services?

The petition

After this, a petition from campaign group EHCP Crisis was presented.

Mark Gill on behalf of other parents said: “Our children deserve better and we willl not rest until the children in this authority are being given their lawful right.

“We’ve taken legal advice they’ve {the lawyers] read these plans and their view is still that these are shameful and simply don’t meet the legal requirements.”

The Assistant Director of  Education and SEND at Sutton Council, Fiona Phelps, admitted that there have been issues with the service in the past.

This is why in March 2018, a joint letter from the CQC (Care Quality Commission) and Ofsted raised ‘significant concerns’ about special needs services in the borough.

One issue that Mr Gill raised was EHCP assessments  being completed without the school name which he claims is illegal.

Ms Phelps said: “You don’t have to name a school at that point.

“They can be completed with a type of school of with the school the child currently attends.”

Why wasn’t Cognus there?

But Councillor Tom Drummond wanted to know why a representative from Cognus was not at the meeting to address concerns.

It was confirmed that the company had been invited to the meeting but did not attend.

Members of the public gathered at the meeting were not impressed with the council’s answers.

And Councillor Elliot Colburn asked: “It seems to me that there is a disconnect between what the council believes the state to be and what parents think at the moment.

“Is an independent review enough? Because it seems the council does not want to hear what the parents are saying.

“It doesn’t seem the council is ready to hear what needs ot be heard and make the substantial change.”

Soon to be director of Cognus,Nick Ireland, hit back saying it is worth noting that the service is being monitored by Ofsted and the Department for Education.

Adding that the service has to make sure it ‘engages fully’ with parents.

Ms James added: “It is not just about having the independent expert we also have appointed Mr Ireland as director of Cognus.

“I think these two actions show that I’ve taken this seriously and we’ve listened to issues and concerns raised.”

What does the campaign group think now?

Hayley Harding set up the Sutton EHCP Crisis group when her autistic son Matthew was refused an assesment – He is set to start school in September.

The family now plans to take the decision to tribunal and hopes it will be overturned.

After the meeting Mrs Harding said: “We are pleased that some efforts are being made to address the issues but feel very disappointed and worried that they are refusing to do anything about the unlawful decisions that they have now admitted have been made over the past 18 months.

“It seems as though protecting themselves politically is more important to them than these vulnerable children.”