Lancashire County Council (25 001 776)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 05-May-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained about significant delays by the Council in carrying out her son, Y’s, Education, Health and Care needs assessment. Mrs X also complained the Council failed to put alternative provision in place, and about delays responding to her formal complaint. The Council was at fault for delays and for failing to properly consider its duty to provide alternative provision. The Council agreed to provide a symbolic financial remedy for the uncertainty and distress this caused.

Kent County Council (25 005 116)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 05-May-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s actions linked to her son’s education, the late issue of his Education, Health and Care Plan and its complaint handling and communication. We found fault because the Council issued the plan outside of statutory timescales and did not communicate about Mrs X’s complaint in a timely manner. This caused Mrs X avoidable distress and frustration. It meant Y’s plan was in force later than it should have been which delayed relevant appeal rights. To remedy this injustice, the Council has agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to Mrs X.

Isle of Wight Council (25 010 212)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 05-May-2026

Summary: Mr X complained about the way the Council dealt with his child, Z’s special educational needs and educational provision. We have found fault by the Council causing injustice, in failing to: complete the annual review of Z’s Education Health and Care Plan within statutory timescales; properly consider its duty to make alternative provision for Z; and its communication failures. The Council has agreed to remedy this injustice by: apologising; making payments to recognise the impact of the missed education and upset caused by its other failures; and a service improvement.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 010 627)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 05-May-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council delayed issuing her child’s final amended EHC Plan and in handling her complaints. We find the Council at fault for a four-month delay in issuing the final Plan and for significant delays and poor quality in its complaint handling. These faults caused Mrs X distress, uncertainty, time and trouble, and frustrated her right of appeal. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to Mrs X.

Norfolk County Council (25 011 203)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 05-May-2026

Summary: The Council delayed when arranging interim provision for a young person once their college placement broke down. This meant they did not receive the special educational provision they were entitled to for almost two school terms. The Council also delayed significantly when finalising the amended EHC plan. The Council has agreed to complete the remedial actions set out at the end of this statement.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 015 298)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 05-May-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Education, Health and Care plan process. This is because the Council has agreed to an appropriate remedy for the injustice caused by the delay.

Derbyshire County Council (25 017 852)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 05-May-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs Y’s complaint the Council failed to arrange alternative educational provision or social care provision for her child. This is because these matters overlap with a SEND Tribunal appeal about her child’s Education, Health and Care Plan.

Essex County Council (25 019 742)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 05-May-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Education, Health and Care plan process. This is because the Council has agreed to an appropriate remedy for the injustice caused by the delay.

Portsmouth City Council (25 022 241)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 05-May-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint that the Council failed to arrange suitable education for her child. This is because she has appealed the matter to the Tribunal. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s decision to take enforcement action around non-attendance to justify our involvement.

Oxfordshire County Council (24 018 403)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 04-May-2026

Summary: The Council delayed in issuing its decision to amend Y’s Education, Health and Care Plan. It also delayed in issuing the final (amended) Plan. These delays caused Mrs X uncertainty, frustration, delayed appeal rights, and financial loss. The Council should make a symbolic payment to Mrs X to remedy the outstanding injustice.