Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (25 000 327)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Alternative provision 26-Aug-2025

Summary: Mrs M complained the Council took too long to arrange alternative education for her daughter. There is not enough injustice to justify an investigation.

Leeds City Council (25 003 400)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Alternative provision 22-Aug-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council failed to issue the complainant’s child’s Education Health and Care plan within the statutory timescale, and failed to make alternative provision for him while he was out of school. Our intervention would not lead to a different outcome and is not therefore warranted.

London Borough of Southwark (25 002 528)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Alternative provision 20-Aug-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about failure to secure suitable education and special educational needs provision as set out in an Education, Health and Care Plan while a child was out of school. Mrs X appealed to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) about the suitability of the school named in the Plan. The non-attendance at school is linked to the subject of Mrs X’s appeal. The Tribunal agreed the school was suitable. We will not investigate the rest of Mrs X’s complaint about attendance warnings because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council, or a significant enough injustice, to justify an investigation.

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.