Sutton Council has apologised to parents of children with special needs after it admitted incorrect and out of date information was provided on its website

Councillor Marian James, chair of the council’s People Committee, made the admission  at a council meeting on Monday night (April 29).

Councillor Tom Drummond asked whether the council is confident that Cognus, which manages all of Sutton’s school support services, can manage the Education Health and Care Needs Assessment process.

His question came in light of concerns raised by parents that children in the borough with special needs are not being issued an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).

Nearly 500 people have signed a petition which calls on Ofsted to step in.

Ms James said she had met with some of the parents concerned and some issues had already been addressed.

But Mr Drummond went on to reveal that EHCP guidance booklets on the council website had been examined by two independent SEN lawyers.

“Both of them contained policies that were unlawful , we need to take action on this and do it sooner rather than later,” he added.

He called for a public apology to be made to parents and carers in the borough.

Ms James added: “All of those documents were at the meeting last week and I have to tell you that these documents are out of date, they are not accurate.

“I am aware that they were on the website and I have already asked officers to remove them.

“I am happy to apologise to all parents who have come across these documents.

“I am passionate about our children and young people. Everything in our power will be done to ensure that we provide them with an excellent service.”

A campaign group called Sutton EHCP Crisis was started by mum Hayley Harding earlier this month.

She plans to go to a tribunal to fight a decision by the council to refuse a plan for her son Matthew, who is due to start school this year.