Buckinghamshire Council (25 009 207)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 20-Mar-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault because of a delay in completing the education, health and care needs assessment process for the complainant’s son. This was an example of service failure, rather than maladministration, because it was caused by a shortage of available educational psychologists. The Council has agreed to offer the complainant a financial remedy to reflect her distress at the delay.

Buckinghamshire Council (24 020 799)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 19-Mar-2026

Summary: Ms X complained the Council did not provide her child, Y, with full-time education, speech and language therapy and that it also wrongfully withdrew Y’s speech and language therapy provision. There was fault by the Council which caused injustice to Y and Ms X. The Council will take action to remedy the injustice caused.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 005 858)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 18-Mar-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault for failing to ensure Ms X’s children Y and Z received the speech and language therapy set out in their Education, Health and Care Plan. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to acknowledge the frustration and the potential impact of the missed provision.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 009 298)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 11-Mar-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to complete an Education, Health, and Care needs assessment for her son within legal timescales. We found the Council at fault for significant delays. This caused frustration, distress and uncertainty to Mrs X, which has affected her son’s wellbeing and educational attainment. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to remedy the injustice.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 013 942)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 09-Mar-2026

Summary: We have upheld this complaint about the Council’s failure to complete an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment for Miss X’s child within the statutory timescale. The Council has agreed to provide a proportionate remedy and this removes the need for us to investigate.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 002 915)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 06-Mar-2026

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to provide Z with suitable alternative education provision when Z was unable to attend school. Miss X also complained the Council delayed completing Z’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment, and about the Council’s communication and complaints handling. We have found the Council at fault for failing to properly consider its section 19 duty and for failing to maintain adequate oversight of Z’s educational arrangements. We have also found the Council at fault for a delay in issuing Z’s EHC Plan and for its complaints handling. We find the Council’s faults caused periods of missed educational provision, as well as avoidable uncertainty and frustration. The Council has agreed to apologise and pay a symbolic financial remedy. The Council will also act to improve its services. There are parts of Miss X’s complaint we have not investigated. We explain why in our statement.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 016 023)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 02-Mar-2026

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.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 017 205)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 02-Mar-2026

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.

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.