Medway Council (20 008 436)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 20-Jan-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs B’s complaint that the Council has refused to reimburse her for school fees she incurred due to fault on its part. This is because Mrs B used her right to appeal against the content of her daughter’s Education Health and Care Plan, and this places the matter outside our jurisdiction.

Leicestershire County Council (20 008 678)

Statement Upheld School transport 19-Jan-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Personal Transport Budget paid by the Council toward the cost of transporting her daughter to school. This is because the Council has now offered a higher payment which Mrs X says she is happy with. An investigation by the Ombudsman could not therefore achieve anything more.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (20 008 102)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 18-Jan-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint the Council delayed and imposed unreasonable conditions on a child performance licence. The claimed injustice is not significant enough to justify an investigation.

Derbyshire County Council (20 009 214)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 15-Jan-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint that the Council refused to obtain an occupational therapy assessment following a review of her son’s needs causing her distress and significant costs. Mrs X appealed to the special educational needs tribunal and therefore we cannot lawfully investigate.

Cheshire East Council (19 013 314)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 14-Jan-2021

Summary: Mrs C complained about delay by the Council in issuing her son’s Education Health Care Plan following a review and reassessment. Mrs C also says that the Council has failed to acknowledge that she was forced into Elective Home Education. We find the Council failed to, complete an annual review of the Plan in 2018, inform Mrs C of its reassessment decision in a timely manner and there was a significant delay in issuing a final Plan. We recommend an apology and financial payment for the injustice caused. We have found no further fault by the Council.

Dorset Council (19 016 920)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 14-Jan-2021

Summary: The complainant says that the Council delayed in completing her granddaughter’s Education, Health and Care Plan and this has meant the child has lost out on important provision and the family caused avoidable distress. The Ombudsman upholds the complaint and has recommended actions to remedy the resulting injustice. The Council has accepted these. Therefore, the Ombudsman has completed his investigation and is closing the complaint.

Derby City Council (20 005 436)

Statement Upheld School admissions 14-Jan-2021

Summary: Mrs X complains that a school admissions appeal hearing for her daughter was not properly conducted. There is insufficient evidence to show Mrs X’s arguments were balanced against prejudice to the school if her daughter were admitted. This is fault by the Council which caused injustice to Mrs X and her daughter. The Council has agreed to hold a further appeal hearing to remedy this.

Devon County Council (20 008 352)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 14-Jan-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate Miss B’s complaint that the Council has failed to make appropriate educational provision for her son. This is because Miss B has used her right to appeal against the content of her son’s Education Health and Care Plan, and this places the matter outside our jurisdiction.

Surrey County Council (20 000 725)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 13-Jan-2021

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council failed to provide appropriate advice regarding her options when she withdrew her son from school due to his ill health. She complains a council officer suggested she had acted illegally could be prosecuted if her son did not receive an appropriate full-time education. The Council’s failure to provide full information or to direct Mrs X to the Council’s other education teams for advice on her options amounts to fault. This fault has caused Mrs X and Y an injustice.

Peterborough City Council (20 002 380)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 13-Jan-2021

Summary: Mrs B complains the Council delayed amending her son’s, child C, Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) during his transition from primary to secondary school. We found the delays caused C distress and meant he missed out on a month of education and transition support. The Council agrees actions to remedy the injustice to C.