Suffolk County Council (22 011 208)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 16-Apr-2023

Summary: Ms X complains that the Council failed to put in place alternative education for her son, C, when he was out of education and delayed in backdating his personal budget. We found the Council was at fault in that it delayed in completing an education, health and care needs assessment for C and in issuing a draft education, health and care plan. It also failed to put in place alternative provision between September and November 2022. However, the Council has provided a satisfactory remedy for the injustice caused.

Suffolk County Council (23 002 710)

Statement Upheld School transport 17-Aug-2023

Summary: Mrs M complains about the Council's handling of her application for transport for her son B's post-16 education. I uphold Mrs M’s complaints about the lack of information on the Council’s website and in its policies about payments instead of transport, and delay by the Council making decisions. The Council’s undertaking to improve its website and policies, and its apology for the delay, are a suitable remedy. I do not uphold Mrs M’s complaint about the mileage rate used by the Council or its decision not to pay for her time. There is no fault in these decisions. The Ombudsman cannot question decisions made without fault.

Suffolk County Council (23 004 873)

Statement Upheld Other 21-Aug-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions following an investigation into Ms X’s complaint under the statutory children complaints procedure. This is because an investigation would not lead to a different outcome as the Council has made an appropriate offer to remedy the injustice caused to Ms X by the faults identified.

Suffolk County Council (22 017 666)

Statement Upheld School transport 04-Oct-2023

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to provide suitable school transport for her two children, Y and Z, between September and October 2022. There was no fault in the Council’s decision to appoint transport provider B. There was a delay in the Council’s response to one of Ms X’s concerns. The Council has already apologised for the delay.

Suffolk County Council (23 008 163)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 11-Oct-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not attending a review of Miss X’s child’s Education Health and Care Plan and poor communication with her. Investigation by us would be unlikely to lead to a different outcome given the Council has already apologised for these matters.

Suffolk County Council (23 009 032)

Statement Upheld Other 08-Dec-2023

Summary: The Council was at fault for how it assessed Mr B and
Mrs C’s son’s needs and made plans for his care. However, it has already offered suitable remedies for the injustice caused and no further action is required.

Suffolk County Council (23 005 204)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 05-Jan-2024

Summary: Mrs M complains about her son B’s education. There were problems with planning for B’s transfer to post-16 education in September 2022, and the Council failed to arrange suitable provision between September 2022 and April 2023. The Council has offered a suitable remedy.

Suffolk County Council (23 017 802)

Statement Upheld Other 21-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a failure to make reasonable adjustments for Mrs X. Further investigation by us would not add to the Council’s own investigation or to lead to a different outcome.