Suffolk County Council (24 019 316)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 29-Jul-2025

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to complete an Education, Health, and Care needs assessment for her child within statutory timeframes. We found the Council at fault for significant delays, causing significant distress, frustration and uncertainty for the family. The Council has agreed to apologise and pay a symbolic payment to recognise the injustice caused.

Southend-on-Sea City Council (24 020 028)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 29-Jul-2025

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to complete an Education, Health and Care needs assessment for her child, Y, within the statutory time limits. She complained the Council’s offer of a symbolic financial payment was not enough to remedy the injustice caused to her. We found the Council at fault for not completing the assessment within the statutory timescales. This fault caused injustice to Miss X. The Council has agreed to make a higher payment to recognise Miss X’s distress and make changes to improve its service.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (22 013 855)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 29-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr and Mrs B complained the Council failed to ensure their son received the provision in his education, health and care plan, failed to put in place education when their son stopped attending school and delayed responding to their complaint. There is evidence Mr and Mrs B’s son did not receive all the one-to-one provision in his education, health and care plan, the Council failed to act appropriately when Mr and Mrs B’s son stopped attending school and the Council delayed responding to the complaint. That means Mr and Mrs B’s son missed out on education and special educational needs provision. An apology, payment to Mr and Mrs B and reminder to officers is satisfactory remedy.

Kent County Council (25 001 733)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 29-Jul-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint about whether the Council provided a suitable education to a child with an Education Health and Care Plan during a Tribunal appeal. We cannot investigate issues which are not separable from that appeal.

London Borough of Newham (24 018 246)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 28-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr Y complains the Council did not properly consider the application for his child, D, to receive home to school transport. We find procedural fault which, on the balance of probabilities, meant the Council did not provide transport when it should have done. The Council has agreed to make a symbolic payment of £900 in recognition of the education D missed. The Council will also pay £500 in recognition of the avoidable distress caused to Mr Y and his family.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (24 018 522)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 28-Jul-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained that the Council, in respect of her child B’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan delayed holding the annual review, issuing an updated EHC Plan and putting the provision in place. We found the Council delayed holding and completing the annual review process, which caused Mrs X distress, uncertainty and financial hardship, and B to miss out on support. The Council has acknowledged fault and agreed to a suitable remedy.

Surrey County Council (24 007 935)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 28-Jul-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her son’s alternative provision and special educational needs provision after March 2024. We found the Council was at fault for not monitoring what provision the child received and if it was suitable for his needs. This meant that Mrs X’s son likely missed out on education and support he was entitled to. The Council agreed to apologise and pay Mrs X a remedy for the injustice she experienced.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (24 010 454)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 28-Jul-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s provision of education, and handling of the education, health and care process for her two children which caused missed education and significant distress. We find the Council at fault for its failure to provide suitable alternative education, meet statutory deadlines, and for poor communication and complaint handling, which caused injustice. We find the Council has already offered a suitable remedy for the injustice. We have decided to end our investigation into other areas of the complaint because they are late or have been appealed to the Tribunal.

London Borough of Lewisham (24 011 068)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 28-Jul-2025

Summary: The Council acknowledged serious failings concerning Mr F’s son’s education, health and care (EHC) plan following Mr F’s first complaint. It is too late for us to look into these matters now. The Council acknowledged further failings updating the Plan following Mr F’s second complaint. The Council has apologised and offered a suitable symbolic payment.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 002 981)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 28-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has failed to arrange suitable education provision for his child. This is because Mr X has a right of appeal to a tribunal that it is reasonable for him to use and because part of his complaint is made late.