The mother of a Stowmarket boy has criticised special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services in the county after she received a report containing a different child's name in it.

Christine Kirby, mother of Arthur, 7, says she had to request for the incorrect name in the education, health and care plan (EHCP) she received in August to be changed twice before it was eventually altered.

Andrew Reid, cabinet member for education and SEND at Suffolk County Council, apologised for the error regarding the EHCP.

He said: "We continue to invest heavily in our SEND services, including making sure children and young people have the best quality Education, Health and Care Plans in place.

"Clearly in this instance this hasn’t happened, and we apologise to the boy and his family for this error."

Mrs Kirby said she had to request for the incorrect name to be changed twice before it was alteredMrs Kirby said she had to request for the incorrect name to be changed twice before it was altered (Image: Christine Kirby) Mrs Kirby's son is currently in a transitional phase, which means he is moving from one educational setting to another.

After receiving the latest draft plan, Mrs Kirby said it did not make sense to her. 

She said: "All plans are a personal centred plan because it is for the individual.

"The new plan I have been sent, apart from a couple of places that has his name in, his name in the new plan has been crossed out and they have generically written he or him."

Andrew Reid, cabinet member for education and SEND at Suffolk County CouncilAndrew Reid, cabinet member for education and SEND at Suffolk County Council (Image: Newsquest) She added that on three occasions her son's report contained another child's name, while another instance saw Arthur's plan sent to another parent in full.

Mr Reid said improving the way the county council delivers SEND services alongside the NHS remains its "top priority". 

More than 60 additional members of staff have been hired as part of a recruitment drive which has been ongoing since February, with another 32 set to be added.

It followed a previous Ofsted report into SEND services in the county which found children with special needs "face a system that has not worked well for a long time."

It is understood that since September, staff now follow a set quality assurance process for every draft plan being issued. 

Mr Reid added: "It now remains essential that this reform continues at pace and improvement is felt consistently by all families.”