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.

Liverpool City Council (24 012 753)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 17-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about how the Council made enquiries about her child’s home education. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.

Coventry City Council (25 000 005)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 17-Feb-2026

Summary: Mrs B complained about the Council’s actions in respect of providing transport assistance for her child, C to attend college. We have found the Council failed to explain why further independent travel training was appropriate, failed to properly consider C’s specific needs and difficulties using public transport and failed to communicate the reasons for its decision. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mrs B and C and make a symbolic payment to them.

Gloucestershire County Council (25 001 568)

Statement Not upheld Alternative provision 17-Feb-2026

Summary: Ms X complains the Council failed to provide alternative educational provision for her son Y when he could not attend school. We have found no evidence of fault in the way the Council considered these matters. So, we have completed our investigation.

Oxfordshire County Council (25 003 169)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 17-Feb-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to organise alternative provision for her daughter, Y, when Y could not attend school. She said the Council failed to ensure Y received the provision in the Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan and failed to review the plan within the legal timescale. Mrs X said this distressed the family and Y missed education and plan provision. The Council was at fault. The Council did not ensure Y received education or EHC Plan provision for a term and a half. The Council did not review the plan within legal timescales. This frustrated Mrs X and Y missed education and EHC Plan provision. The Council agreed to apologise and make a financial payment.

Essex County Council (25 006 273)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 17-Feb-2026

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council delayed in completing the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment for her daughter, Y. Mrs X also says Y has been out of education since 2023. Mrs X says this has caused her family a great deal of distress and has had financial implications. We have found fault in the actions of the Council for failing to complete the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment process within statutory timescales. The Council has agreed to write to Mrs X to apologise and pay a financial payment.

Devon County Council (25 013 312)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 17-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about delays in the review of an Education, Health and Care plan. We cannot achieve the outcome the complainant is seeking. The Tribunal can decide whether the plan meets a child’s needs and amend the plan. It would be reasonable to expect the complainant to raise an appeal to obtain the outcome they are seeking.

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (25 013 831)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 17-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to provide her daughter’s speech and language therapy and occupational therapy because the Council has already provided a suitable remedy for the issue. If Mrs X disagreed with the Council’s decision to remove these therapies from her daughter’s Education, Health and Care Plan it would have been reasonable for her to appeal. The remaining issues Mrs X raises are peripheral to these main points and it is unlikely investigation would achieve anything more for her.

Staffordshire County Council (24 021 692)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 16-Feb-2026

Summary: The Council failed to properly review Y’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan when they began struggling to attend school. It also failed to consider whether it should provide Y with a suitable alternative education and how it would secure the Special Educational Needs provision in Y’s EHC Plan. This caused Y to miss five terms of alternative provision and caused Miss X uncertainty, distress and time and trouble. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to Miss X to recognise the impact if its failings.