Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (25 012 964)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 08-Sep-2026

Summary: Miss X complained the Council did not provide her son, Y, with alternative provision when he was unable to attend school, took too long to complete his Education, Health and Care Plan and did not provide the specialist provision in the plan. We found fault by the Council in all matters. The Council has agreed to apologise and make symbolic payments to recognise the injustice caused to Miss X and Y.

Surrey County Council (25 014 149)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 08-Sep-2026

Summary: The Council delayed completing an education, health and care needs assessment, delayed putting in place education following an exclusion, delayed explaining the funding process for the alternative provision the school arranged, failed to keep Mrs X up to date or respond to emails and gave Mrs X incorrect information. That caused Mrs X distress and uncertainty and led to Y missing out on some education. An apology and payment to Mrs X is satisfactory remedy.

Lancashire County Council (25 015 394)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 08-Sep-2026

Summary: The Council delayed completing Miss X’s child, Y’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment in line with statutory timescales. It delayed deciding whether to issue Y with an EHC Plan within the statutory timescales, caused by a 46 week delay in obtaining Educational Psychologist advice. It then further delayed issuing Y’s final EHC Plan by 25 weeks after it received the EP advice. The Council acknowledged the delays and made a payment for the injustice caused to Miss X and Y. It agreed to make a further payment to fully recognise the one term delay in Y’s access to the specialist provision and placement specified in the final Plan.

Isle of Wight Council (25 020 737)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 08-Sep-2026

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to provide appropriate software for her child, Y, to access the provision in his Education, Health and Care Plan. We found the Council at fault for failing to properly consider whether the software provided met Y’s individual needs and for poor communication. The Council will apologise and make a payment to recognise the injustice caused. It should also take action to establish whether Y can effectively access the IT provision he requires.

Manchester City Council (25 020 744)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 08-Sep-2026

Summary: Miss X complained about the way the Council handled her daughter, Y’s education. The Council delayed in reviewing Y’s education, health and care plan and failed to provide agreed occupational therapy provision. This caused Miss X and Y frustration and uncertainty. The Council should apologise and make payments to recognise the injustice caused.

Essex County Council (26 002 393)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 08-Sep-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to include speech and language therapy provision in a child’s Education, Health and Care plan. This is because the complainant has appealed to a tribunal, and the issues raised are not separable from that appeal. It is unlikely we would find fault in how the Council dealt with a related matter.

Suffolk County Council (25 014 091)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Sep-2026

Summary: We found fault with the Council delaying outside the statutory timescales issuing Mrs X’s child’s Education, Health and Care Plan. We also found fault with the Council failing to provide suitable education and Education, Health and Care Plan provision to Mrs X’s child. The Council agreed to apologise to Mrs X, provide a symbolic financial payment for her child’s missed provision and for her distress and for the Council to put in place the remaining missing Education, Health and Care Plan provision.

Kent County Council (25 020 002)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Sep-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to complete and annual review by issuing her son’s Education, Health and Care Plan on time and did not adequately respond to her formal complaints. We find the Council at fault for its delays in issuing an Education, Health and Care Plan, and in responding to Mrs X’s complaints. This caused uncertainty, frustration, delayed appeal rights and time and trouble. The Council will apologise and make a symbolic payment to remedy the injustice.

Essex County Council (25 030 491)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Sep-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.

Essex County Council (26 001 324)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Sep-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.