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.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (19 018 232)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 20-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the refusal of admission to the complainant’s preferred school for her daughter. This is because there is no evidence of fault in the way that the Independent Appeal Panel (IAP) considering the appeal made its decision.

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.

Suffolk County Council (19 014 303)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 18-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint about the actions of the Council in relation to the application by the complainant’s ex-partner to change their child’s school. This is because the matter was considered by a court and is out of our jurisdiction.

Kent County Council (19 015 843)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 18-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse home to school transport. It is reasonable to expect Ms X to appeal.

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (19 016 100)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a Council consultation on school reorganisation. The final decision has not been made, it is reasonable to expect Mr X to comment during the next stage of the process and he has not suffered any significant injustice.