Buckinghamshire Council (24 012 399)

Report Upheld Special educational needs 25-Feb-2026

Summary: The complainant (Mrs E) has two sons, who both have SEN. For one son the Council failed to provide them with speech and language therapy and occupational therapy included within their EHC Plan. For the other son, the Council also failed to provide him with speech and language therapy and failed to complete reviews of his EHC Plan in time. The investigation has highlighted systemic failings in the delivery of speech and language and occupational therapy services by the provider used by the Council to deliver these services to children with EHC Plans. This despite the Council having recommissioned that service and introduced a new strategy to meet the therapeutic needs of children with SEN in its area during 2024.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 022 150)

Report Upheld Special educational needs 25-Feb-2026

Summary: The complainant (Mrs E) has two sons, who both have SEN. For one son the Council failed to provide them with speech and language therapy and occupational therapy included within their EHC Plan. For the other son, the Council also failed to provide him with speech and language therapy and failed to complete reviews of his EHC Plan in time. The investigation has highlighted systemic failings in the delivery of speech and language and occupational therapy services by the provider used by the Council to deliver these services to children with EHC Plans. This despite the Council having recommissioned that service and introduced a new strategy to meet the therapeutic needs of children with SEN in its area during 2024.

Surrey County Council (24 021 662)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 03-Feb-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to secure the provision in her son’s Education, Health and Care Plan. We find the Council at fault in the delay in providing the provision. The Council had already apologised, provided a personal budget and symbolic payment to Mrs X. The Council has agreed to make a further symbolic payment to Mrs X to provide a suitable remedy.

Kent County Council (24 022 185)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 03-Feb-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her son’s education. We found fault because the Council did not send formal documentation linked to appeal rights for his Education, Health and Care Plan when it should have done, it failed to properly consider its duties to deliver education when he could not attend school and communication and complaint handling were poor. This caused Mrs X and her son avoidable distress and uncertainty. To remedy this injustice, the Council will apologise to Mrs X and make a payment.

Brighton & Hove City Council (24 022 390)

Statement Not upheld Special educational needs 03-Feb-2026

Summary: Miss X complained that the Council named a school in her son’s Education, Health and Care Plan, which could not meet his needs, and it failed to ensure the agreed alternative education was provided. We are discontinuing our investigation because Miss X had an available alternative remedy by means of an appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal if unhappy with the named placement. Therefore, we are closing the complaint.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 001 214)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 03-Feb-2026

Summary: We found the Council delayed in securing the therapeutic provision included in child Y’s Education, Health and Care Plan. This caused Y lost provision which the Council agreed an increased payment to remedy.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (25 001 464)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 03-Feb-2026

Summary: I have found fault in the annual review process which delayed Ms X’s right of appeal. I have not found fault in the Council’s decision not to provide financial support to Ms X when she was home educating. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to acknowledge the injustice caused.

Kent County Council (25 001 723)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 03-Feb-2026

Summary: Mrs F complained about the Council’s handling of her son’s education and special educational needs provision. The Council has accepted there was a delay in holding an annual review and responding to Mrs F’s complaint. The Council should make symbolic payments to Mrs F to remedy the distress and time and trouble this caused. We have not found fault in the other parts of Mrs F’s complaint.

Lancashire County Council (25 003 999)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 03-Feb-2026

Summary: The Council failed to consider its duty to provide a suitable alternative education to Mrs X’s child, Y, when they stopped attending school. The Council also delayed issuing Y's EHC Plan and failed to secure the provision in the Plan. This has resulted in Y missing six terms of education and caused Mrs X frustration, distress and uncertainty. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mrs X and make a payment to recognise the impact of its failings.

London Borough of Newham (25 004 294)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 03-Feb-2026

Summary: Ms X says the Council delayed completing an education, health and care needs assessment, failed to provide her son with education, wrongly said she had decided to home educate her son, delayed consulting schools and delayed responding to her complaint. There is no fault in failing to put in place alternative provision for Ms X’s son. The Council delayed completing the needs assessment, failed to follow its elective home education policy, delayed consulting schools and delayed responding to the complaint. That caused Ms X distress and uncertainty. The remedy the Council has already offered Ms X, plus guidance for officers, is satisfactory remedy.