Somerset Council (24 016 851)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 07-Oct-2025

Summary: Ms D complained the Council has failed to provide her daughter J with suitable full-time education that met her special educational needs. We found delay in putting provision in place which caused J to miss out on some education. The Council has agreed to make a payment to Ms D to remedy the injustice that caused.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council (24 004 378)

Statement Upheld School transport 07-Oct-2025

Summary: We found fault on Mrs D’s complaint about the Council failing to pay the full amount of backdated Personal Travel Budget for her children’s home to school transport. It failed to give information when it made the payment showing how it had been calculated. This caused some confusion and frustration. It also failed to keep minutes of appeal panel hearings although has now changed its practice. The agreed action remedies the injustice caused.

West Sussex County Council (24 011 946)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 07-Oct-2025

Summary: We found the Council delayed issuing Y’s Education Health and Care Plan and failed to provide alternative education between March 2024 and September 2024. We recommended an apology and a payment to recognise the impact.

Wakefield City Council (25 005 701)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 07-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint the Council named an unsuitable school in her child’s Education, Health and Care Plan. This is because it is reasonable to expect Mrs X to use her right of appeal to the SEND Tribunal. An investigation by the Ombudsman could not give Mrs X the outcome she wants.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 004 834)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Oct-2025

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.

Birmingham City Council (25 005 514)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 07-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the behaviour of a Council employee during a educational needs meeting. There is insufficient injustice and it is unlikely our investigation would achieve a worthwhile outcome. We will not investigate the complaint about how the Council handled the complainants’ data as the Information Commissioner Office is better placed to investigate such matters.

Devon County Council (25 008 402)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 07-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council refusing to assess her child for an Education, Health and Care Plan. This is because it was reasonable for Mrs X to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability).

Essex County Council (25 008 944)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 07-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about delay in the Education and Health Care Plan process. This is because the Council has agreed to remedy the injustice caused by its delay and it is unlikely further investigation would achieve significantly more for Miss X. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to name a school in her son’s Education, Health and Care Plan because the decision carried a right of appeal which it would have been reasonable for her to use.

Central Bedfordshire Council (24 018 080)

Statement Upheld School admissions 06-Oct-2025

Summary: We find the Council at fault for failing to make its own decision on Miss X’s request to delay her summer-born child’s start at school. This caused Miss X frustration, distress and uncertainty. The Council will apologise and improve its service.

Central Bedfordshire Council (24 020 679)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 06-Oct-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to finalise her daughter, Miss Y’s Education, Health and Care Plan within legal timescales. She also complained the Council failed to complete a phased transfer review. Mrs X said this frustrated and distressed her. The Council was at fault, but it has taken appropriate action to remedy any injustice caused by this fault.