Essex County Council (25 005 994)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 30-Mar-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council incurred delays following her request for an Education, Health and Care needs assessment for her son. She also complained the Council failed to provide alternative educational provision when her son was unable to attend school. Mrs X says the Council’s actions caused significant, avoidable anxiety and led to her son falling behind academically. We found fault by the Council. The Council has agreed to provide an apology and a financial remedy to address the injustice identified.

Essex County Council (25 007 175)

Statement Upheld Safeguarding 29-Mar-2026

Summary: Miss B complained the Council did not consider all evidence in reaching its safeguarding outcome. There was fault by the Council. It failed to communicate with Miss B about its consideration of the information she raised with it and explain why this did not change the safeguarding outcome. Miss B suffered distress and frustration. The Council has agreed to apologise to Miss B, make a symbolic payment and issue a staff briefing.

Essex County Council (25 016 209)

Statement Upheld Charging 29-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council charging care fees for a period as there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify an investigation. We have upheld Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s delay in responding to her emails about the charges. The Council has agreed to provide a proportionate remedy for the distress caused to Mrs X.

Essex County Council (25 004 905)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 24-Mar-2026

Summary: We have found the Council at fault for its poor communication about the alternative provision available to Mrs X’s son. We also found fault with the Council for delays during the post-16 annual review process. This fault caused avoidable distress to Mrs X and her son. The Council has agreed apologise and make a symbolic payment.

Essex County Council (25 020 718)

Statement Upheld School transport 23-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about problems with home to school transport. This is because the Council has agreed to an appropriate remedy for the identified injustice.

Essex County Council (25 018 281)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 23-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.

Essex County Council (25 018 649)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 23-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.

Essex County Council (25 007 120)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 18-Mar-2026

Summary: The Council failed to put in place education and special educational needs provision for Mrs X’s son when tuition broke down, failed to issue a final education, health and care plan following a review and failed to identify a suitable post 16 placement. That meant Mrs X’s son missed out on provision and Mrs X had her right of appeal denied and suffered distress. An apology, payment to Mrs X and a process to manage children out of education is a satisfactory remedy.

Essex County Council (25 017 265)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 17-Mar-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained that the Council delayed finalising her daughter’s Education, Health and Care plan. We have found the Council was at fault. It caused a delay of five months. This meant
Mrs X’s daughter missed out on some support she needed, and
Mrs X’s right to appeal was frustrated. The Council has agreed to take action to address their injustice.

Essex County Council (25 006 242)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 13-Mar-2026

Summary: There was fault by the Council. There was significant delay sending a final Education, Health and Care Plan after an annual review. A child, Y, received no educational provision after she was removed from the school roll. An apology, symbolic payment and review of procedures remedies the injustice to the family.