Summary: We will not investigate Mr F’s complaint about delay amending his son’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan because there is nothing we could add to the Council’s response, and no worthwhile outcome achievable.

The complaint

1. Mr F complained about delay by the Council arranging a co-production meeting and amending his son’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide:

• we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation, or
• there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr F and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr F complained to the Council on 29 July 2025 about delay amending his son’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan.
6. The Council responded on 27 August 2025. The Council confirmed that a date had been agreed to hold a ‘co-production meeting’ and apologised for the delay amending the Plan. The Council also offered a symbolic payment to acknowledge the impact of the delays.
7. Unhappy with the Council’s response, Mr F complained to us on 28 August 2025.
8. I am satisfied the Council responded appropriately to Mr F’s complaint. It acknowledged it was at fault and offered a suitable remedy which was in line with our published guidance. I do not consider there is anything we could add to the Council’s response by investigating further.
9. The Council’s response demonstrated it is aware of the timescales for amending an EHC Plan following a review, and the potential for injustice when it is unable to meet them. I do not consider there is any worthwhile outcome achievable for Mr F or the public at large by investigating his complaint further.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mr F’s complaint because there is nothing we could add to the Council’s response, and no worthwhile outcome achievable.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman