Derby City Council (23 009 736)

Report Upheld School transport 14-May-2025

Summary: Ms X, Ms Y and Ms Z complained about the Council’s offer of transport support for their children via a personal travel budget (PTB), rather than providing a vehicle, and about the handling of their subsequent transport appeals. They complained the Council’s decision to offer a PTB was impractical and unaffordable for their individual circumstances. Their children all have Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans and are older than 16.

Derby City Council (23 008 547)

Report Upheld School transport 14-May-2025

Summary: Ms X, Ms Y and Ms Z complained about the Council’s offer of transport support for their children via a personal travel budget (PTB), rather than providing a vehicle, and about the handling of their subsequent transport appeals. They complained the Council’s decision to offer a PTB was impractical and unaffordable for their individual circumstances. Their children all have Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans and are older than 16.

Derby City Council (23 013 529)

Report Upheld School transport 14-May-2025

Summary: Ms X, Ms Y and Ms Z complained about the Council’s offer of transport support for their children via a personal travel budget (PTB), rather than providing a vehicle, and about the handling of their subsequent transport appeals. They complained the Council’s decision to offer a PTB was impractical and unaffordable for their individual circumstances. Their children all have Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans and are older than 16.

Worcestershire County Council (24 012 293)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 13-May-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to arrange alternative educational provision for her child (Y) after they became unwell and unable to attend school in the 2023/2024 school year. The Council was at fault for failing to consider alternative educational provision when Mrs X raised attendance problems in late April 2024. However, this did not cause an injustice as Y was not absent for 15 days or more which is a requirement for the Council to arrange alternative provision. Y also went on study leave five weeks after Mrs X raised attendance problems and any alternative education provision would not have been arranged before this period.

Staffordshire County Council (24 004 134)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 13-May-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to complete an Education, Health and Care needs assessment for Y within the statutory time limits, and failed to ensure she received suitable education while she was out of school. Mrs X said this caused her real stress and meant she incurred additional expenses. We find the Council at fault. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment to recognise the injustice and act to prevent recurrence.

Telford & Wrekin Council (24 007 302)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 13-May-2025

Summary: We have found fault with the Council for failing to secure the therapy set out in Mrs X’s daughter’s Education, Health and Care Plan. This caused her to miss out on the therapy she needed. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to Mrs X in recognition of the missed provision.

London Borough of Islington (24 020 760)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 13-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about how the Council dealt with her concerns that her child’s Special Educational Needs were not being met. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing a significant injustice.

Wokingham Borough Council (24 023 265)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 13-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a school admissions appeal panel refusing his appeal. It is unlikely we would find fault which caused Mr X to lose out on a school place.

Kent County Council (25 002 389)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 13-May-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s co-ordination of the school admission process. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant our further involvement.

Essex County Council (24 008 703)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 12-May-2025

Summary: Ms X complained the Council did not provide suitable education to her child when they were out of school and delayed updating their education, health and care plan. Based on current evidence I intend to find the Council at fault for not providing suitable education and delaying making a decision on Ms X’s child’s annual review. Ms X’s child has missed a significant amount of education. To remedy the injustice caused the Council agreed to apologise, make a payment to recognise loss of education and secure suitable provision for the child.