The MP for Carshalton and Wallington has asked the Prime Minister to intervene in Sutton’s “SEND schools crisis.”

Elliot Colburn was referencing a BBC Panorama programme which aired on Monday night.

It focused on Sutton council's SEND services, Cognus Ltd.



Cognus has previously been under scrutiny by both parents and Ofsted.

In 2018, it was found to have denied around 700 children for an assessment for extra support.

A spokesperson for Sutton Council said;

“We are proud of the strength of our partnerships with schools, parents and carers, and of the quality of service we provide to our children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable or have additional needs.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission inspected SEND services in the borough earlier this year and commended the quality of support offered at both the Council and Cognus.

This was also acknowledged by Vicky Ford MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families.

In a letter from July 2020 she states; ‘I was particularly encouraged by the joint working now taking place in Sutton across education, health and care - and by the impact this is having on children’s confidence; the quality of Education, Health and Care plans and feedback from parents.’

We put the greatest possible importance on listening to parents and carers, especially those who receive SEND provision; we have set up forums, meetings and review opportunities to ensure that the voices of parents and carers are heard.

For parents and carers, the education of children with SEND is an emotional as well as a practical issue.

All professionals engaged seek to make the best accommodation between the wishes of parents and the independent assessment of need.

We have been in extensive communication with Mrs Harding consistently over the past two years and she has had access to review and complaint processes, including meetings with senior professionals, councillors and the independent expert.

The vast majority of parents and carers of the 1,931 children with EHCPs in Sutton are positive about the service they receive.

The Council continues to work with all of them to maintain and improve those services.”