North Northamptonshire Council (25 009 724)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 26-May-2026

Summary: The Council delayed issuing Y’s final Education, Health and Care Plan following an annual review and there were faults in its communication with Ms X. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to acknowledge the frustration and delayed right of appeal this caused. There was no fault in the way it reached the decision not to provide alternative provision when Y was out of school between April and September 2025.

South Gloucestershire Council (24 004 970)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 21-May-2026

Summary: Ms X complained about how the Council secured alternative provision for Y while he was out of school and delays in securing provision set out in his Education, Health and Care Plan. The Council was at fault for delay, causing uncertainty. The Council has agreed to apologise and make payment to recognise the injustice caused.

Cornwall Council (25 005 943)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 21-May-2026

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to provide his son (Y) with a suitable education and support for his special educational needs when he moved into the area. We found the Council to be at fault. This meant Y was out of education for two terms, affecting Y’s development and well-being, as well as causing Mr X distress and frustration. To remedy this injustice, the Council agreed to apologise and made a symbolic payment.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council (25 011 581)

Statement Not upheld Alternative provision 18-May-2026

Summary: Miss X complained about the way the Council dealt with her elective home education request. We found no fault in the actions of the Council.

Central Bedfordshire Council (25 002 584)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 17-May-2026

Summary: We have found fault by the Council in failing to arrange suitable education for Y, failing to secure the provision in her EHC Plan, and in delays in securing a new placement and issuing an amended EHC Plan. These faults caused Y a significant loss of education. The Council has accepted our recommendations.

Hertfordshire County Council (25 017 291)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Alternative provision 14-May-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to arrange alternative provision and any related matters because the complainant has issued judicial review proceedings against the Council.

Derby City Council (25 020 073)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Alternative provision 12-May-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about missed tuition. We are unlikely to achieve more than the £250 offered by the Council.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (25 009 544)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 11-May-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s response to her request for support for her son (Y) who could not attend school because of his health needs. Mrs X also complained about the Council’s failure to keep the statutory timescales for Y’s Education Health and Care needs assessment. We found fault with the Council’s failure to check the suitability of educational arrangements made by Y’s school despite regular communication from Mrs X. We also found fault with the Council’s delays with Y’s Education Health and Care needs assessment, with its communication with Mrs X and its record-keeping. The Council’s fault caused injustice to Y and Mrs X. The Council has agreed to apologise, arrange a meeting to discuss Y’s education and issue Y’s final Education Health and Care Plan. The Council has also agreed to make payments to recognise injustice caused to Y and Mrs X and carry out service improvement.

Essex County Council (25 006 388)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 10-May-2026

Summary: We have found the Council at fault for its poor communication in response to Ms X’s request for Education Other Than At School for her son, Y. The Council also failed to consider it Section 19 duty when Y stopped attending school. This fault caused Ms X and Y avoidable distress and caused Y to miss out on alternative provision. The Council has agreed to take action to remedy this injustice.

Surrey County Council (25 006 942)

Statement Not upheld Alternative provision 10-May-2026

Summary: Ms X the Council failed to provide her son with alternative provision and a full-time education when he was unable to attend school. We have found no evidence of fault in the way the Council considered these matters. So, we have completed our investigation.