St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council (21 015 216)

Category: Education Date: 13-Jul-2022

Summary

Mrs C complained the Council caused delays when it reviewed her son’s Education, Health and Care plan, and it failed to put in place some agreed special educational needs provision. We found the Council caused unnecessary delays in reviewing the final amended EHC plan and to put in place the agreed provision for Mrs C’s son, including delays in arranging her direct payment. The Council agreed to apologise to Mrs C and make payment to acknowledge the distress and costs she had, including the loss of educational provision her son experienced.

Service improvements

St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council (21 007 421)

Category: Education Date: 24-Jul-2022

Summary

Mr X complains the Council failed to conduct an annual review or produce an EHC Plan for his grandchild Y for several years. He further complained the Council did not involve Y’s mother Ms S in its decision making or provide her with appeal rights and refused to investigate the complaints he raised about this. There was fault when the Council significantly delayed producing a final EHC Plan for Y, failed to invite Ms S to annual review and did not respond appropriately to complaints Mr X raised about this. The Council has agreed to provide a written apology, a £200 financial award and to remind its staff about the importance of keeping to statutory timescales.

Service improvements