SPECIAL Educational Needs and Disabled families have been warned of a data breach affecting the service in charge of children and young people in Worcestershire.

A number of parents have received a letter from Worcestershire Children First warning that it had been affected by a breach of sensitive information from SEND services across the county.

A data breach is a security violation, in which sensitive, protected or confidential data is copied, transmitted, viewed, stolen or used by an individual unauthorised to do so.

Tina Russell, director of Children’s Services at Worcestershire County Council said: “I can confirm there has been a data breach in SEND services.

"I am extremely disappointed this has happened and I have written directly to all the parents affected to apologise.

"I fully appreciate the effect this will have on those and other parents who will be looking for assurances that the impact of this has been managed and a re-occurrence minimised.

"The breach has been referred to the Information Commissioner Office and we have taken action internally across Worcestershire Children First.”

It is not known at this time how many families were affected by the breach or what information was affected.

We have asked Worcestershire County Council for more information.

Have you been affected by the data breach? Email joseph.broady@newsquest.co.uk