Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about delays in completing an Education Health and Care Plan annual review. This is because the complaint is late, and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complained the Council delayed completing an Education Health and Care Plan annual review. She said the Council did not provide support and guidance.
2. Mrs X said she had been unable to complete family outings and had to take time of work to support her child. She wants the Council to support parents, an apology and for her complaint to be taken seriously.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint. Mrs X complained to the Ombudsman in 2025. The issues Mrs X complained about happened between December 2023 and June 2024, and Mrs X was aware of these issues at the time.  The complaint matters are therefore late. I have seen no good reasons Mrs X could not have complained sooner.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the complaint is late, and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to investigate now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman