Norfolk County Council (25 019 248)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Alternative provision 18-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about alternative education provision for her child. There is insufficient evidence of fault to warrant an investigation. We will also not investigate her complaint about the Education, Health and Care Need Assessment because she has a right of appeal to the Tribunal.

Brighton & Hove City Council (25 024 578)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Alternative provision 18-Aug-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of an Education, Health and Care Plan. This is because the complainant has used her right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) and the Courts have decided that the Ombudsman cannot intervene where the right to appeal has been used.

Staffordshire County Council (25 010 238)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 16-Aug-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council incurred delays in arranging alternative educational provision for her daughter when she was unable to attend school. She also complained the Council did not provide sufficient support or adequate alternative educational provision. Mrs X says the Council’s actions negatively impacted her daughter’s educational progress and emotional wellbeing, as well as placing a considerable strain on the family. We found fault by the Council. The Council has agreed to provide an apology and a financial remedy, and to review its alternative education policy and procedure.

East Sussex County Council (25 024 766)

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

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council has failed to provide suitable alternative educational provision for the complainant’s daughter while she has been unable to attend school. There is insufficient evidence of fault on the Council’s part to warrant investigation.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (25 014 623)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 13-Aug-2026

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to secure any educational provision for his son Y, who has an Education, Health and Care Plan, when he stopped being able to attend school. We find the Council at fault for failing to secure Y’s special educational provision, and failing to consider its duties and relevant guidance when deciding whether to arrange alternative educational provision. This caused significant injustice in the form of lost special educational provision and distress. The Council has agreed to make a symbolic payment, apologise, and make service improvements to remedy the injustice.

Devon County Council (26 004 913)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 12-Aug-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council delayed issuing an Education, Health and Care Plan for her son and failed to provide suitable alternative education when he was unable to access school. There was a delay in the EHC Plan process and a failure to consider whether the education available at the mainstream primary school was accessible. A remedy including an apology and a symbolic payment is agreed.

Kent County Council (25 028 100)

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

Summary: We cannot investigate part of Miss X’s complaint because it is too closely linked to matters which were appealed to a tribunal. We will not investigate part of the complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council to justify investigation. We will not investigate part because it is late. We will not investigate the remainder because we could not add to a previous investigation by the Council.

Devon County Council (25 014 997)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 12-Aug-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council delayed issuing an Education, Health and Care Plan for her daughter and failed to provide suitable alternative education when she was unable to access school. There was a delay in the EHC Plan process and a failure to consider whether the education available at the mainstream primary school was accessible. A remedy including an apology and a symbolic payment is agreed.

Leicestershire County Council (25 018 879)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 11-Aug-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault for failing to provide Miss X’s child Y with a suitable education after they stopped attending school in February 2025. The Council has agreed to make a payment to remedy the injustice caused by the loss of education.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 020 648)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Alternative provision 10-Aug-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate whether the Council should have provided alternative education to Miss X’s child from the date it issued a notice saying it would not amend the Education Health and Care Plan. Any missed education before then is not of a long enough period to justify an investigation.