Blackpool Borough Council (24 017 666)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 19-Aug-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained that the Council failed to deliver education to her son while he could not attend school. We have found that the Council was not at fault for its offer of education. It considered its duties and made a decision which was not unreasonable. It was, however, at fault for providing Mrs X with some incorrect information. This did not cause Mrs X a significant injustice, and therefore we have recommended no further action.

Derbyshire County Council (25 005 518)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 19-Aug-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained her child missed Year 6 of education with only limited part-time Alternative Provision of education at the end of the year. We found fault with the Council failing to suitably consider its Section 19 duty for 8 weeks in the academic year 2023/2024. We also found fault with the Council failing to meet its complaint timescales. The Council agreed to apologise to Mrs X for any avoidable frustrations its fault caused and pay Mrs X £600 in recognition of her child’s missed educational provision caused by its fault.

London Borough of Sutton (25 003 191)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Alternative provision 18-Aug-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint that the Council’s failure to properly address the complainant’s child’s special educational needs denied her access to educational and special educational provision. Miss X used her right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) and this means the law prevents the Ombudsman from considering the key matters.

Cambridgeshire County Council (24 018 245)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 17-Aug-2025

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to provide alternative education for her son, Y. We found fault by the Council as it did not properly check what provision was in place for Y even though it was aware of his situation. As a result, Y missed out on education and his welfare suffered. Ms X also experienced stress and financial loss. The Council has agreed to a financial remedy in recognition of the injustice caused to Ms X and Y.

Suffolk County Council (24 015 762)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 14-Aug-2025

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to provide her daughter with suitable education and support, failed to keep her updated and has not been transparent. It has also delayed dealing with her complaint. Ms X says this has caused stress to the whole family. The Council has upheld Ms X’s complaint, apologised and offered a remedy. I consider this is a satisfactory response and is line with the Ombudsman’s guidance on remedies.

Derbyshire County Council (24 018 834)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 13-Aug-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to provide suitable education for her child since May 2022. Mrs X also complained the Council delayed production of her child’s Education, Health and Care Plan and handled her communication poorly. We found fault with the Council delaying for 13 months in production of the Education, Health and Care Plan and for complaint handling delays. We did not find fault with the Council failing to provide suitable education for Mrs X’s child. The Council has offered £1,000 for the distress, time and trouble its delays have caused and offered £8,658 for Mrs X’s child’s lost education. I am satisfied this is a suitable offer to reflect the injustice caused.

Southend-on-Sea City Council (24 008 360)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 13-Aug-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained that the Council failed to provide her daughter (Y) with suitable education when she could not attend her school and delayed Y’s Education Health and Care needs assessment. Mrs X also complained about the Council’s school attendance process. We found fault with the Council’s failure to comply with the statutory timescales for Education Health and Care needs assessments and with its complaint handling. The Council’s fault caused injustice to Y and Mrs X. The Council has agreed to apologise and make symbolic payments.

Gloucestershire County Council (24 016 739)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 11-Aug-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council did not provide his daughter with sufficient alternative provision while she was unable to attend school. The Council is at fault for failing to arrange a suitable full-time education from October 2023 to July 2024. The Council has also failed to record its decision making. This fault meant Mr X’s daughter received limited education between October 2023 and July 2024. This caused Mr X and his daughter significant distress, frustration and has negatively impacted her educational development. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment to Mr X and his daughter, and make a service improvement.

Cornwall Council (24 016 644)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 10-Aug-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained that the Council failed to arrange alternative provision for her son (Y) when he could not attend his school and failed to complete an Annual Review of his Education Health and Care Plan. We found fault with the Council. This fault caused injustice to Y and Mrs X. The Council has agreed to apologise and make symbolic payments. The Council has also agreed to carry out some service improvements of its Annual Review process.

West Sussex County Council (24 011 785)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 10-Aug-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council delayed arranging alternative educational provision for her child, Y when he was unable to attend school. She also complained the Council failed to provide the specialist provision outlined in Y’s Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan. The Council decided without fault that the school named in the Plan could meet Y’s needs. The specialist provision was available to Y at the named school. However, the Council was at fault for a three month delay in arranging alternative education provision and failing to review Y’s EHC Plan within statutory timescales. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment for Y’s missed provision and to recognise the distress, frustration and uncertainty caused.