Reflect on the issues raised in this decision statement and identify any areas of unresolved service improvement. The Council should prepare a short report setting out what the Council intends to do to ensure similar problems not reoccur. This report should be sent to the Ombudsman.

The Council has agreed to where a child has significant physical disabilities, requiring regular occupational therapy (OT) support/provision, the Council will consider arranging joint visits with the OT and social worker for the purposes of a children and family assessment;social care staff will routinely be invited to EHCP reviews and, where they cannot attend, they will submit a report;there will be clear timetable for decision making on social care packages. We have recommended that it should be 12 weeks between referral to the decision;the Council will devise a policy/procedure whereby, despite a disagreement with a parent/carer over the care package, it can provide an interim care package while the dispute is being resolved; and the Council will devise a form of words whereby a parent can record their disagreement with the care package, or amount of DPs, so that DPs can still be offered while the dispute is being resolved.the Council will develop an appeal system for parents/carers when they disagree with the Panel's decision, instead of them having to pursue a time consuming complaint under the statutory process. The appeal should be heard by a different Panel promptly (I suggested within four weeks),. If the appeal does not resolve the issue, parents/carers can complain under the complaints process but with the proviso that an interim care package is provided by the Council while the complaint is being considered.

The Council should remind officers that where a school is unwilling or unable to implement provision for a child as specified in their education health and care plan, the Council must ensure this is addressed promptly.