Suffolk County Council (20 000 627)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 30-Apr-2021

Summary: Mr X complained that the Council failed to ensure his son received all the support he should have had under his Education Health and Care Plan, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. We do not find the Council was at fault in the way it dealt with the special education provision, but it did not record or provide enough information to Mr X about what support would be provided. It has apologised to Mr X. This is a sufficient remedy.

Suffolk County Council (19 019 102)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 05-May-2021

Summary: Mr and Mrs J complain they were caused distress and uncertainty because of the Council’s failure to issue an Education, Health and Care Plan promptly for their daughter K. The Council also failed to offer alternative provision even though K was too ill to attend her school. The investigation found evidence of fault and the Council has agreed to apologise and to ensure it meets the requirements of the law and statutory guidance going forward. It had already agreed to provide a financial remedy in line with our guidance.

Suffolk County Council (20 010 169)

Statement Upheld School transport 04-Jun-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council declined her application for school transport for her three children. She complained the Council did not fully consider her grounds for appeal and incurred delays in the process. We have found fault by the Council causing stress to Mrs X. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mrs X and reconsider her applications for home to school transport.

Suffolk County Council (20 003 486)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 14-Jun-2021

Summary: The Council failed to provide J with suitable full-time education and delayed making the specialist provision set out in his Education, Health and Care plan when his school placement ended. The Council also failed to follow the statutory guidance when it refused Mr and Mrs B’s request for a personal budget. We have recommended and the Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment and take action to prevent similar failings in future.

Suffolk County Council (20 010 495)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 05-Jul-2021

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council failed to provide speech and language therapy and a psychologist’s assessment set out in his son’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The Council is at fault as it delayed in arranging the therapy and assessment. This has caused injustice. The Council has agreed a financial remedy.

Suffolk County Council (20 008 503)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 30-Jul-2021

Summary: Mrs B complained that the Council failed to provide suitable alternative education for her daughter C when she was unable to attend school due to anxiety. We found the Council failed to provide C with suitable alternative education, between October 2019 and March 2020. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mrs B, pay her £2000 to remedy the impact on C and a further £300 for Mrs B’s time and trouble in pursuing the matter. It has also agreed to review its policy, provide training and check alternative provision for other children in similar circumstances.

Suffolk County Council (20 013 554)

Statement Upheld Other 10-Aug-2021

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council has failed to provide her and her children with appropriate social care support. This resulted in distress, financial loss and negative outcomes for the family. The Council has accepted fault, but Mrs X says its proposed remedy is inadequate. The Council has agreed an enhanced remedy.

Suffolk County Council (20 007 318)

Statement Upheld Child protection 12-Aug-2021

Summary: There is no fault in how the Council assessed and reported on the child protection concerns about Miss X’s children. There is some fault in the Council’s failure to consider whether Miss X needed any reasonable adjustments. The Council has agreed to apologise to Miss X and pay her £200.

Suffolk County Council (20 012 188)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 03-Sep-2021

Summary: Ms X complains about the way the Council managed her son’s Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan and transition to adulthood. The Council made decisions too late, outside the EHC process, and without involving the family or other services. This was fault and caused significant distress and inconvenience to the whole family. Recommendations for an apology, financial payment and service improvements are made. The complaint is upheld.

Suffolk County Council (20 013 285)

Statement Upheld Charging 10-Sep-2021

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of the care charges for their adult son, Mr Y’s, attendance at a day centre. The Council was at fault as it failed to explain Mr Y would be required to contribute to his care costs when it arranged the care package. It then further delayed explaining the charges, failed to communicate clearly with Mr and Mrs X and failed to explain there would be a charge for non-attendance. The Council agreed to cancel the debt prior to April 2019, make a payment to Mr and Mrs X to acknowledge the frustration caused to them and review its processes to prevent a recurrence of the fault.