North Northamptonshire Council (23 020 479)

Statement Upheld Allocations 09-Apr-2025

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complain the Council failed to meet its duties to them when they asked to be moved because of risk of harm and it assigned them the wrong housing band. We found there was fault in how the Council handled Mr and Mrs X’s homelessness application which caused them frustration and uncertainty. The Council should apologise to Mr and Mrs X and issue reminders to its staff.

North Northamptonshire Council (23 020 171)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 16-Apr-2025

Summary: There was fault by the Council which delayed amending Y’s Education Health and Care Plan following an annual review meeting. There was also poor communication and delay in complaint handling which caused avoidable distress. The Council will apologise, make a symbolic payment of £500 and will make the payment of £2475 it already offered to reflect Y’s loss of educational provision.

North Northamptonshire Council (24 015 239)

Statement Upheld School admissions 01-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about delays in offering a school place as the Council has agreed to a proportionate way to resolve the complaint.

North Northamptonshire Council (24 010 308)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 29-Jun-2025

Summary: Ms X complained that her child, Z, did not receive the support they needed from a key adult while in school, despite this being a requirement of their Education, Health and Care Plan. The Council failed to arrange this provision and Z missed out on key adult support over several terms. The Council also delayed reviewing and finalising Z’s Education, Health and Care Plans and delayed responding to Ms X’s complaints. In recognition of the injustice caused by these faults, the Council has agreed to apologise, pay Ms X £1,610 and carry out service improvements.

North Northamptonshire Council (24 011 415)

Statement Upheld School transport 29-Jun-2025

Summary: Miss X complained that the Council acted unfairly when it decided not to award free school transport to her children. The Council was at fault. The Council did not carry out its assessment properly. The Council should apologise to Miss X and review its internal procedures.

North Northamptonshire Council (24 009 788)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 09-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr X complained that the Council delayed in issuing a final Education, Health and Care Plan for his son, and failed to provide suitable alternative education while he had no school place. We find there has been fault causing a loss of suitable education for the son and avoidable distress and frustration for the family. The Council has agreed a symbolic payment for this injustice. We are therefore closing the complaint.

North Northamptonshire Council (24 005 627)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 17-Jul-2025

Summary: The Council was at fault as it failed to provide a suitable alternative provision for Miss X’s child from January 2023 to November 2024, and it poorly communicated and handled her complaint. It was not at fault for making a safeguarding referral. The Council will apologise and make payments to Miss X to recognise the injustice caused by the loss of education and its poor communication and complaint handling. The Council will also remind staff of its duties to consider the alternative provision duty properly to prevent reoccurrence.

North Northamptonshire Council (24 017 239)

Statement Upheld Safeguarding 29-Jul-2025

Summary: On behalf of Mr B, Mr X complained about the Council’s handling of a safeguarding incident and subsequent investigations. We find the Council at fault for a delay in completing the safeguarding enquiry and poor communication during the process. This caused Mr X frustration, uncertainty and distress. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a symbolic financial payment and complete service improvements to remedy the injustice caused.

North Northamptonshire Council (24 017 975)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 01-Sep-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to secure Y’s Education, Health and Care Plan provision after they moved into its area or complete a review of the plan within statutory time limits. We find the Council at fault, causing frustration and uncertainty and meaning Y did not receive the education he was entitled to. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment to recognise the injustice, and act to prevent recurrence.

North Northamptonshire Council (25 005 980)

Statement Upheld Council tax support 11-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax support. This is because the Council has agreed to remedy the injustice to Mr X by considering his review request and providing his appeal rights.