Cambridgeshire County Council (25 013 248)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Jul-2026

Summary: We found fault with the Council delaying outside the statutory timescales in production of Miss X’s child’s Education, Health and Care Plan by just under one year and five months. The Council’s fault was in part caused by a delay in getting Educational Psychologist advice. The Council’s fault caused a delay to the delivery of Miss X’s child’s Education, Health and Care Plan provision and caused Miss X distress and frustration. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to remedy the injustice caused.

Surrey County Council (25 015 115)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Jul-2026

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to fulfil the findings from the Special Educational Tribunal. She says that some educational provision has only been provided after a delay, while the Council has not provided other provision at all. The failure to do so has impacted her child and whole family by causing them avoidable and unnecessary distress. We found the Council at fault. It failed to provide all the provision set out by the tribunal and the Educational Health and Care plan. We found the Council should apologise and make payment to remedy the injustice experienced.

Nottinghamshire County Council (25 011 012)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Jul-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council delayed providing physiotherapy and music therapy as required by section F of her son’s Education Health and Care Plan. The Council failed to commission any physiotherapy for approximately seven months and missed one term of music therapy. An appropriate remedy for the missed physiotherapy which includes a symbolic payment and catch up sessions, is agreed. The Council has already provided a remedy for the missed music therapy.

Hertfordshire County Council (25 011 789)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Jul-2026

Summary: Ms X complained the Council delayed issuing an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan for her son, Mr Y, after the annual review in January 2024. She also complained the Council did not provide Mr Y with education for the 2024-2025 academic year. Ms X said this distressed her and Mr Y missed education. There was fault in the way the Council delayed issuing the EHC Plan after the annual review, did not oversee the EHC Plan, delayed considering the personal budget request and delayed implementing provision for Mr Y. This frustrated and distressed Ms X and Mr Y missed provision. The Council has acted to remedy this fault in its complaint process.

London Borough of Bexley (24 021 279)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Jul-2026

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of their child’s Education, Health and Care Plan and its linked personal budget. We found fault by the Council, including avoidable delay and unforced errors, that cumulatively caused Mr and Mrs X distress and resulted in the loss of educational provision for their child. The Council agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to Mr and Mrs X.

Kent County Council (24 022 927)

Statement Not upheld Special educational needs 07-Jul-2026

Summary: Miss F complained the Council failed to provide alternative provision for her daughter. We have ended our investigation. This is because it is out of our jurisdiction as Miss F could appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Tribunal.

Hampshire County Council (25 016 758)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Jul-2026

Summary: I found fault with the Council delaying provision of Mrs X’s child Speech and Language Therapy from their Education, Health and Care Plan. The Council agreed to apologise to Mrs X and provide a symbolic financial gesture for the impact these delays had on Mrs X’s child.

West Sussex County Council (25 023 374)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 07-Jul-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council issued the complainant’s child’s Education Health and Care plan without incorporating amendments she submitted, and has failed to communicate appropriately with her subsequently. This is because the complaint has been substantially upheld and investigation by the Ombudsman is unlikely to lead to a significantly different outcome.

Essex County Council (25 029 616)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Jul-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about delays in the Education Health and Care Plan process. This is because the Council has agreed to apologise to Miss X and pay her £100 per month for the delay. We consider this an appropriate remedy and further investigation is therefore unlikely to achieve anything more.

Portsmouth City Council (26 009 039)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 07-Jul-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a school named in a child’s Education Health and Care plan. This is because it is reasonable for the complainant to use their right of appeal to a tribunal.