Surrey County Council (21 011 993)

Statement Upheld School transport 31-Mar-2022

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s decision to decline to provide home to school transport for her child. She says her child has not been able to attend school due to the lack of transport. We find fault with the Council for not properly considering whether the cost of Ms X’s preferred school was incompatible with the efficient use of resources. We have made recommendations to remedy the injustice caused.

East Sussex County Council (21 012 872)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 31-Mar-2022

Summary: Mrs B complains the Council have not made education and special educational needs provision for her son. The Council is at fault because there were delays to C’s educational provision in his EHCP being made. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mrs B and pay Mrs B £900.

Gloucestershire County Council (21 017 958)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 31-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the panel, and so we cannot question the merits of its decision.

North East Lincolnshire Council (21 018 218)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 31-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not following COVID 19 guidance. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. It is unlikely our investigation could achieve significantly more.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (21 002 921)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 30-Mar-2022

Summary: there was some fault by the Council in relation to the matters complained about in the form of a failure to update written care plans and delays in the complaints handling process. The Council will take the agreed action to recognise the injustice these caused and to ensure that such faults do not recur

West Northamptonshire Council (20 009 340)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 30-Mar-2022

Summary: There was fault in the way the Council drafted an EHC plan and a four-month delay in naming a school for secondary transfer and in providing a right of appeal. This was fault, delayed a right of appeal and caused unnecessary uncertainty and distress. Recommendations for an apology, financial payment and service improvements are made.

Staffordshire County Council (21 006 864)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 30-Mar-2022

Summary: Mrs Z complains about the way the Council dealt with her application and appeal for help with school transport for her 15-year-old son, and with suspension of the Temporary Vacant Seat scheme. The Council was at fault in dealing with her application. It has agreed a suitable remedy. We stopped investigating the issue of the suspension of the scheme as it does not directly affect Mrs Z’s family now.

Hampshire County Council (21 006 256)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 30-Mar-2022

Summary: The complainants alleged that the Council delayed in completing annual reviews of their daughter’s Education, Health and Care Plan, and failed to deal properly with their request for a reassessment. We find fault by the Council. The Council has agreed the recommended ways to remedy the resulting injustice. We have therefore completed our investigation and are closing the complaint.

Shropshire Council (21 018 152)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 30-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions following an allegation of abuse in a school. This is because the complaint is outside of our jurisdiction as it relates to the Council’s response to actions within a school. The complaint is also late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion and investigate this now.

Liverpool City Council (21 018 303)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 30-Mar-2022

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment of the complainant’s daughter’s needs. This is because he has used his right to appeal to a tribunal and this places the matter outside our jurisdiction.