West Sussex County Council (19 004 376)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 25-Feb-2020

Summary: The Council was at fault in the way it dealt with Mrs X’s son’s Education Health and Care Plan. It was responsible for some of the delay in issuing the final Plan and it failed to seek a professional report as part of the assessment. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to recognise the frustration, anxiety and time and trouble caused.

London Borough of Hounslow (19 004 707)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 24-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complained the Council did not take appropriate action following his report of safeguarding concerns at his child, Y’s, school. He removed Y from the school but says the Council delayed in arranging an alternative placement and setting up an agreed interim direct payment arrangement for home tuition. This meant Y missed out on education and caused him financial loss and distress. The Council is at fault. It did not follow correct procedures which led to Y missing out on a half term’s education and delays. The Council has agreed to pay Mr X £1000 to use for Y’s educational benefit, £300 for the frustration and distress caused and review its procedures.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (19 007 547)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 24-Feb-2020

Summary: There was fault by the Council, in failing to secure the provision of Speech and Language Therapy as part of an Education, Health and Care plan. However, the Council has now recognised this fault, and taken adequate steps to remedy the injustice which followed. For this reason, the Ombudsman has completed his investigation.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (19 005 574)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 21-Feb-2020

Summary: There was delay by the Council in issuing Mrs X’s son’s Education Health and Care Plan and poor communication with her. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to recognise the loss of special needs support and Mrs X’s time and trouble in pursuing her complaint.

Leicestershire County Council (19 007 543)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 21-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs B complains the Council did not provide support identified for her daughter in an Education, Health and Care Plan and then failed to amend that plan in good time. We uphold both parts of the complaint. We find these faults caused injustice to Mrs B, mainly as distress as she faced added demands supporting her daughter. Mrs B’s daughter also suffered her own distress as a result of missing education. The Council has accepted these findings. At the end of this statement we explain action the Council has agreed to remedy the injustice caused.

Kent County Council (18 009 616)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 20-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsmen finds fault by the two Councils, NELFT and the CCG in that they have failed to make appropriate educational and health provision for the complainants’ two children, who have special educational and mental health needs. The Ombudsmen have recommended steps to put things right for the children and parents. Issues about health provision for the children are now being considered by a Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal, which can make recommendations to NELFT about what clinical support it should provide to the children.

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (18 005 790a)

Statement Not upheld Special educational needs 20-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsmen finds fault by the two Councils, NELFT and the CCG in that they have failed to make appropriate educational and health provision for the complainants’ two children, who have special educational and mental health needs. The Ombudsmen have recommended steps to put things right for the children and parents. Issues about health provision for the children are now being considered by a Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal, which can make recommendations to NELFT about what clinical support it should provide to the children.

North Somerset Council (19 005 688)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 20-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the way the Council considered his son, Y’s special educational needs. He said Y missed out on support as a result. The Council was at fault for amending Mr X’s address without checking with him and for not sending sensitive information securely. There is no evidence of fault in the process leading to decisions about Y’s special educational needs.

West Sussex County Council (18 005 790)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 20-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsmen finds fault by the two Councils, NELFT and the CCG in that they have failed to make appropriate educational and health provision for the complainants’ two children, who have special educational and mental health needs. The Ombudsmen have recommended steps to put things right for the children and parents. Issues about health provision for the children are now being considered by a Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal, which can make recommendations to NELFT about what clinical support it should provide to the children.

Somerset County Council (19 007 130)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 17-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council failed to provide suitable education to her son and delayed issuing a final Education Health and Care Plan, resulting in missed education and stress to Y and his family. The Ombudsman finds the Council at fault. He recommends the Council provides an apology, pays £3200 in total for missed education, distress and uncertainty, time and trouble. And, takes action to prevent recurrence.