Cumbria County Council (19 011 568)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 05-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs D complains about matters relating to her son’s Education, Health and Care Plan. There was fault by the Council. It should apologise and make a payment to Mrs D to acknowledge the uncertainty caused.

Hampshire County Council (20 000 674)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 04-Mar-2021

Summary: the Council was at fault in failing to ensure education and special educational provision was made for X between January and March 2020, in delaying issuing the decision of the annual review that took place in June 2019 by eight months and in its poor handling of Ms B’s complaint from September 2019. The Council will apologise, make a payment to recognise the impact of the missed provision and take action to ensure the identified fault does not occur again in future.

Milton Keynes Council (19 020 623)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 02-Mar-2021

Summary: We upheld Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her daughter Y’s education, health and care (EHC) plan and education provision. The Council delayed holding a review and arranging alternative provision for Y. There were also errors in the way it amended Y’s plan before she moved to secondary school. The Council will apologise, make a payment to Miss X and Y to remedy the injustice caused, and review how it amends plans when children move between primary and secondary school.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (19 002 856)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 01-Mar-2021

Summary: We upheld Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her daughter’s education, health and care plan. The Council caused delays, demonstrated unprofessional practice, and failed to secure the provision Mrs X’s daughter required. The Council will apologise and make a payment to recognise the distress and frustration it caused Mrs X, and the loss of provision for her daughter. It will also take action to improve its service to other families.

Milton Keynes Council (19 020 371)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 01-Mar-2021

Summary: We upheld Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of his son D’s education, health and care plan. The Council failed to secure the provision in the plan while D was out of school. It also delayed in reviewing the plan when D moved into the area and finalising an amended plan. This caused uncertainty and frustration for Mr X. The Council will apologise and make a payment to Mr X and D. It will also remind staff of the timescales for reviewing and amending plans.

Bracknell Forest Council (20 002 959)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 26-Feb-2021

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council delayed in issuing the final Education, Health and Care (ECH) plan for her son. She also complains the Council failed to provide suitable full-time education for her son after she stopped home education. We find fault with the Council. We have made recommendations.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (20 004 507)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 26-Feb-2021

Summary: There was an eleven month delay in issuing an EHC plan. While the Council has accepted fault and offered a financial remedy, this is lower than the Ombudsman would usually recommend. A recommendation to increase the payment is made.

Worcestershire County Council (20 002 208)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 24-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr G complained the Council delayed finalising his daughter’s, X, Education Health and Care Plan. He said it failed to provide her with suitable alternative provision when she was out of school due to ill health. Mr G also complained about the Council’s delay in dealing with his complaint. The Council was at fault for the delays in the Education Health Care Plan completion and dealing with Mr G’s complaint. This has caused Mr G’s family significant distress and time and trouble. The Council will take action to remedy the injustice.

Central Bedfordshire Council (19 012 009)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 22-Feb-2021

Summary: Mrs X complains about the appropriateness of out of school education provided when she removed her child from a school. There was fault by the Council because it did not properly consider its approach to the withdrawal of Mrs X’s son from school. The Council agreed a financial remedy for Mrs X and her son to address the injustice they suffered.

Central Bedfordshire Council (19 012 234)

Statement Not upheld Special educational needs 22-Feb-2021

Summary: Mrs Y complains about the Council’s handling of a safeguarding investigation at her son’s previous school. This investigation was discontinued because no worthwhile outcome is achievable by further investigation.