Probe launches into councillors’ ‘disgusting’ comments about SEND children

The probe focuses on members of the ruling Conservative group whose comments “caused significant offence, distress and upset” to children with SEND and their families, the local authority has confirmed.

All three were speaking at a meeting of the children and young people overview and scrutiny committee at the end of January.

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Jeff Morgan is among those under investigation after he questioned whether children receiving SEND funding were “just really badly behaved” and are in “need of some form of strict correction”.

Another involved, Brian Hammersley, suggested “something in the water” was causing an increase in children receiving SEND support.

Meanwhile, the third councillor involved, Clare Golby, asked if the increase in SEND cases was linked to “a rise in social media use”.

Among those to raise concerns is Kerry Wilks, from the union Unite, who highlighted the three Conservative councillors’ comments via social media earlier this week.

She said the councillors’ views were “absolutely disgusting”.

@Warwickshire_CC this is absolutely disgusting! Talking about SEN children in this way, is this what your council thinks of SEN children ? #SEND pic.twitter.com/DXylrMWrr5

— Kerry Wilks (@middlesbro82) February 5, 2024

All three councillors have since apologised, with Morgan saying that “it was never my intention to offend, and I regret the words I used to make a point about demand and need in the SEND area”.

Meanwhile, Hammersley said: “I regret my clumsiness and lack of care in choosing my words and can see the upset and offence they caused.  I am terribly sorry and will be more thoughtful with my questions and words in future. I can see that I have some learning to do.”

But while Golby has apologised “for any offence caused” she believed that the words she used “were open to interpretation”.

In launching an investigation into the three councillors the council has sought to distance itself from their comments, saying they are not representative of the wider council, other councillors, and officers.

“Those views and the language used are not representative of this council, its wider councillors and staff or our commitment to children and young people especially those with special educational needs or disabilities and their families,” said the council’s leader Izzi Seccombe.

“I am so sorry for the distress this situation has caused, particularly to SEND children and their families.”

Chief executive Monica Fogarty said the council “is taking this extremely seriously” and the matter will be prioritised.

She added: “So much good work has been done over recent years in collaboration with the SEND community and we remain determined to continue to improve life opportunities for children and young people and deliver on our commitment to support children with SEND to thrive.”