Inspectors have identified “systemic failings” in Sutton’s SEND services but there were also plenty of positives
Young people in Sutton with special educational needs are facing a difficult transition into adulthood, lacking support from adult services and experiencing a “cliff edge” in their care.
Inspectors identified “widespread and systemic failings” in Sutton that could be putting some children at risk of harm, in a recently published report on the council’s and the South West London Integrated Care Board’s SEND services.
The joint Ofsted and Care Quality Commission report, following their three-week inspection in January 2026, criticised the NHS body and Lib Dem council, noting early on that some children with SEND “have considerably poor experiences” in the borough. The council and the Integrated Care Board (ICB) have since been required to submit a “priority action plan” to address the issues.
Among the failings highlighted, inspectors noted:
- Children with dysphagia (eating and swallowing difficulties) are put at risk with inspectors calling on the partnership to “take swift action to mitigate risk of harm”. Pathways for managing medical assessments are significantly under-resourced across the area, meaning some children do not have safe, risk-assessed feeding plans in schools.
- Families across Sutton are “experiencing unacceptable delays in accessing specialist assessment and intervention”. The waiting list backlog was deemed particularly severe for early years children aged up to five, who are waiting too long for occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy.
- “High numbers” of EHCP requests are being refused by the local authority putting extra pressure on families.
- Young people face a “cliff edge” in their care as they transition into adulthood due to a lack of adequate support from adult services.
While some face difficulties in securing assessments and EHCPs, those who do secure them generally receive solid support according to inspectors.
In statistics published by the Department for Education last week, Sutton Council was shown to have made 99.5% of its decisions on whether to assess a child within the six-week deadline, ahead of the London average (86.0%) and the national average (87.4%). Once an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment was completed, it issued 96.0% of EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans) within the statutory 20-week limit.
The report also notes that vulnerable teenagers with neurodevelopmental needs and complex medical conditions are often unprepared for adulthood, placing additional pressure on families.
‘Highly skilled and pragmatic’
Despite the shortcomings, the joint inspection team identified several positives, including that frontline practitioners across the partnership are “highly skilled and pragmatic” in their day-to-day work. Inspectors also commended staff working in local education, health and care services for their strong communication between teams, meaning parents of the most vulnerable children did not have to repeat their complex stories.
Established pathways for autism support and local child and adolescent mental health services were highlighted as strengths. Inspectors noted that all children in mainstream and special schools now have access to a mental health support team practitioner.
Children known to social care receive tailored support, including dedicated personal assistance and short breaks, and proactive multidisciplinary work for those on the dynamic support register has “contributed to reduced hospital admissions for the most vulnerable”.
However, these operational successes are overshadowed by leadership struggles, particularly the “ongoing challenges” in sharing data between Sutton Council, the ICB and education services.
Inspectors found there is no commissioned pathway for people to get a diagnosis for a learning disability in Sutton. Instead, clinicians are carrying out these complex assessments through alternative routes, but the report warns this “relies on goodwill rather than formal commissioning”.
The continued absence of a parent carer forum working alongside the local area partnership in the borough was also raised as a compounding issue. In January 2024, the LDRS reported how Sutton Council ended its 10-year partnership with Sutton Parents Forum.
Its long absence means the community currently lacks any structured, reliable platform for gathering the vital views, lived experiences, and daily priorities of families navigating the special needs system.
18 months to make a plan
Sutton Council and the South West London ICB are now legally required to address these critical priority areas together. An inspection will take place within the next eighteen months to ensure these mandated safety and support measures are being implemented.
Councillor Gemma Munday, Lead Member for People at Sutton Council, said: “The inspection found strengths in our local services and that most children with SEND are doing well in education. However, the overall result is disappointing, and I know parents will be concerned.
“It’s important to know that the ‘widespread or systemic failings’ judgement is due to serious concerns about the long-term support the NHS provides for children with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). Inspectors told us that, without this issue, Sutton’s SEND services would have been rated more positively.
“We’re already working closely with the NHS to put this right, including support from the council’s own speech and language specialists. An independent chair and board will oversee our improvement work.
“We are committed to giving children and young people with SEND in Sutton the best possible care. We will keep listening, learning and improving. I am confident we can work closely with the NHS to turn the service for children with dysphagia around.”
If you have had any experiences regarding SEND education in Sutton and wish to share it, email [email protected].
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