Statement from Sutton Health and Care in response to the Area SEND Inspection Report
In January 2026, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Ofsted carried out a Joint Local Area SEND Inspection of NHS South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Sutton Council. The inspection reviewed how education, health and social care services work together to support children and young people aged 0–25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
The final report has now been published. Inspectors highlighted a number of strengths in Sutton’s health and therapy services, including effective multidisciplinary working, support for many children with complex health needs, and the commitment and professionalism of staff.
However, the report also identified concerns regarding ongoing support for children and young people with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). As the provider of these services, we take the findings extremely seriously.
We recognise the impact that delays in assessment and intervention can have on children, young people and their families, and we fully support the urgent action being taken across the local area partnership to address the issues identified.
The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is our highest priority and we understand the inspectors' concerns regarding the accessibility, coordination and capacity of specialist support. We are sorry for the frustration and anxiety experienced by some families and acknowledge that the service has not consistently met the standards that children and young people deserve.
Sutton Health and Care (SHC) has also been working closely with NHS South West London ICB and Sutton Council to address capacity challenges and improve the responsiveness of support for children and young people with feeding and swallowing difficulties.
Many of the improvements identified through the inspection were already underway before the report was published. In recent months, we have taken significant steps to strengthen dysphagia services, improve clinical oversight and enhance the identification and management of risk.Actions include the completion of a peer review to explore best practice, reviewing referral pathways, strengthening governance and escalation processes, increasing oversight of children with the highest levels of need, improving multidisciplinary working, and enhancing communication and coordination between health professionals, education settings and families.
We are committed to working collaboratively with the ICB, Sutton Council, education providers, parents, carers and young people to deliver the Priority Action Plan. We welcome the scrutiny provided through the inspection process and remain focused on demonstrating tangible improvements. Together with our partners, we are committed to ensuring every child and young person receives safe, effective and person-centred care, delivering better experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND in Sutton.
Sutton Health and Care (SHC) is an innovative provider alliance, formed of partnerships between London Borough of Sutton, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Sutton Primary Care Networks and South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust
Working together, we provide community services in Sutton, caring for adults in their own homes across the borough, providing children’s community health services, and sexual health services. Together, we can achieve more for the people we care for.