County councillors have apologised after their comments about SEND children led to a huge public backlash.

The leader of Warwickshire County Council (WCC) Cllr Izzi Seccombe has said sorry for the "distress" caused to parents, after one Conservative councillor claimed some SEND children are "just really badly behaved".

Cllr Jeff Morgan, the portfolio holder for children and families until May 2023 and now vice-chair of Warwickshire County Council, also suggested such children may need "some form of strict correction" at last month's children and young people overview and scrutiny committee.

In the same meeting Cllr Brian Hammersley asked whether there was "something in the water" causing a rise in demand for SEND services.

"The problem appears to me to be why so many people now are having all these issues when there were very few when I was at school having these special needs," he added.

While Cllr Clare Golby said she had seen families "swapping tips on how to get their children diagnosed" on social media.

The authority said it had received a number of complaints which were being considered by the council's monitoring officer, with an investigation being "prioritised".

WCC has now released a statement, distancing itself from the remarks, which it said are "not representative of the views of the wider council body".

"It is clear that these comments have caused significant offence, distress and upset to children and their families within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) community," the statement said.

"The council takes that very seriously.

"The council wishes to emphasise that the comments made are not representative of the views of the wider council body including those councillors and officers who work so hard to provide support and opportunities for children with SEND. 

"The council has built strong relationships with groups within the SEND community, and we are conscious of the damage this situation may cause to those relationships. 

"The complaints received will be considered as part of an investigation which the council's monitoring officer has begun."

'Wish To Apologise'

The council's statement also said the three councillors "wish to apologise".

Cllr Morgan said: "As a former cabinet member and councillor of nine years I regret any offence caused by my choice of words. 

"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. I remain committed to the children and families of Warwickshire." 

Cllr Hammersley said: "I apologise unreservedly for the comments which I made at the recent scrutiny committee. 

"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."

Cllr Golby said: "I accept that the words I used at the meeting were open to interpretation. 

"I have spent many years working hard to support children and families in the SEND community and it was never my intention to offend. I apologise for any offence caused."

Backlash

Local parents have taken to social media to criticise the "insensitive" and "horrifying" comments.

Warwickshire Parent Carer Voice said in a statement the comments were "unacceptable" and a formal complaint against the three councillors had been submitted.

Others on social media have accused the councillors of knowing "nothing about SEN conditions". 

An online petition has been signed by nearly 16,000 people to urge the council to prioritise SEND funding and to have the three councillors removed.

Meanwhile Cllr Zoe Leventhal, a barrister specialising in disability discrimination and parliamentary candidate for Kenilworth and Southam, has called for "immediate action".

"Conservative Councillors Jeff Morgan, Brian Hammersley, and Clare Golby's comments questioning the legitimacy of children's needs for special educational support not only display a profound misunderstanding of the challenges faced by these children and their families but also undermine the critical support structures in place to assist them.

"We call upon the Conservative party to take immediate and commensurate action to address these remarks.

"The focus should be on taking this appropriate action and supporting children and families affected.

"Whilst I profoundly disagree with their comments, personal comments or threats on the councillors concerned are wholly unacceptable."