Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council (24 023 246)

Report Upheld School transport 10-Feb-2026

Summary: The Council failed to decide if it was “necessary” to provide appropriate free transport to enable Ms X’s adult daughter, Miss Y, to attend the college named in her Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan. It confused matters for adult learners, like Miss Y, who began their course after the age of 19, with the education transport rules for sixth form students. The Council’s amended Transport Policy 2024/2025 was not in line with the Education Act 1996 or case law for 19–25 year old learners with an EHC Plan. The faults caused Ms X avoidable frustration, avoidable time and trouble and uncertainty to her and Miss Y.

North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (24 020 290)

Report Upheld Alternative provision 04-Feb-2026

Summary: We found the Council delayed for 13 months in arranging alternative educational provision from February 2024 after Mrs X’s child, Y, was unable to attend school. This is the second time we have found the Council at fault for failing to provide education to Y. This caused Y to miss out on a suitable education and caused Mrs X distress, frustration and uncertainty.

Essex County Council (25 013 964)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 13-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Education, Health and Care plan process. This is because the Council has agreed to an appropriate remedy for the injustice caused by the delay.

London Borough of Croydon (25 008 659)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 13-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about an Education Health and Care Plan review delay, communication issues and delays in replying to her complaint. We are unlikely to be able to significantly add to the Council’s reply to her complaint.

Suffolk County Council (25 010 958)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 13-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to restrict the complainants contact under its unreasonable behaviour policy. This is because the injustice caused is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (25 011 363)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 13-Jan-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint that the Council failed to provide education to her child, Y, or the content of Y’s Education, Health and Care Plan to them between April 2023 and July 2024 because Miss X appealed to a tribunal, and the law says we cannot investigate.

Surrey County Council (25 011 628)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 13-Jan-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to carry out an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment. Mr X appealed this decision to a Tribunal and therefore the law says we cannot investigate. We will not investigate Mr X’s further complaint about subsequent delays in the assessment process after the tribunal ruling. This is because the Council has already provided a suitable remedy for Mr X’s injustice here.

Staffordshire County Council (24 021 918)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 13-Jan-2026

Summary: Mr X complained the Council did not issue an updated Education, Health and Care Plan for his child, Y after an annual review in August 2024. He also complained about poor communication from the Council. We found fault by the Council on both parts of Mr X’s complaint. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to recognise the impact of Y’s missed provision and the distress, frustration and uncertainty caused.

Suffolk County Council (25 001 384)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 13-Jan-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to complete her child’s Education, Health and Care Plan within the statutory timescales. We find the Council at fault for delay, which caused uncertainty and distress. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to Mrs X. It should also review its action plan to ensure Education, Health and Care Plan writing is conducted in line with the timescales set out in statutory guidance.

West Northamptonshire Council (25 002 633)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 13-Jan-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault for the time taken to issue an Education, Health and Care Plan for Ms X’s child and for not putting in place suitable education when the child was out of school. This meant the child had to wait much longer than they should for support with their special educational needs and missed out on education they should have received. To remedy the injustice caused the Council agreed to apologise, make payments to recognise the loss of education, special educational provision and delays issuing an Education, Health and Care Plan. The Council also agreed to carry out a service improvement.