Sutton Council has launched a consultation over controversial proposals to shut base units for hearing-impaired children at two mainstream schools following parents' concerns.

The hearing impairment resource units (HIRU) at both Rushy Meadows Primary School, in Rushy Meadow Lane, and Overton Grange School, in Stanley Road, were among those earmarked for closure in consultation plans put to the council’s children, families, and education committee (CFE) on December 20.

Plans also included closing a unit for pupils with moderate learning difficulties in Amy Johnson Primary School, in Mollison Drive, changes in the admission policy for special needs schools and units, as well as a new post-18 unit at Sherwood Hills.

But a new consultation was launched on January 15 following a meeting which included parents, as well as borough councillors and MPs, regarding the situation amid ‘unprecedented’ funding cuts.

Grandmother Amanda, 55, of Gander Green Lane, said: “The base unit for deaf children gives a feeling of security, support and working alongside children that are the same as they are (i.e., deaf).

“Without a base unit for the deaf children [they] wouldn’t have the opportunity to work or develop life skills with their deaf peers.

“They wouldn’t get daily access to the teacher of the deaf, the social, and emotional impact would be massive there feeling of loss, and would be on their own in a mainstream class. How will teachers communicate with deaf children?”

The carer, whose daughter and granddaughter are both deaf, could be affected by the changes if they go ahead on September 1.

She added: “Without the knowledge of BSL [British sign language], Sutton needs these two units and we ask that everyone supports us in campaigning to keep the units open.

“I feel really strongly about the closing of the units for the deaf, as being involved with the deaf community all my life, and would like help and support from everyone to help us and our deaf children.”

Councillor Wendy Mathys, Sutton Council's chairwoman of the CFE committee, said: “These are difficult decisions for all of us.

"We are aware of the concerns of parents and we are consulting residents and partners on a number of issues in relation to services for children and young people with additional needs.

“Having listened to parents' concerns we are now consulting on additional options and the latest consultations will be available on our website over the next month.

“Any potential changes to the services we provide must be considered in the context of the unprecedented cuts in funding we receive from central government and our legal requirement to produce a balanced budget in March.

“We are lobbying the Government so they understand the impact of the cuts to council funding."

The consultation has three different options – no change and leave the number of commissioned places at 14, reduce the number of places, or close the HIRU and maintain support.

A meeting will also be held at Rushy Meadows Primary School on February 1.