London Borough of Wandsworth (23 017 554)

Statement Upheld Disabled children 07-Mar-2025

Summary: Ms X complains about delays by the Council and the Trust in completing an autism assessment for her child and for not fast‑tracking their assessment. We found fault with the initial referral, but the Trust has already remedied this. We also found fault with the triage panel meeting that led to some delay. We did not find fault by the Council and the Trust with how they considered Ms X’s fast‑track request. However, fault with a panel meeting led to some uncertainty about whether this could have been considered sooner. We have recommended the Trust and the Council take actions to address the faults and apologise for the distress caused to Ms X.

West Northamptonshire Council (24 001 146)

Statement Not upheld Disabled children 05-Mar-2025

Summary: Mrs B complained that the Council when considering a complaint about children’s services, failed to remedy the fact that the family had not been provided with appropriate support. We have not found fault with the Council.

Milton Keynes Council (23 000 946)

Statement Upheld Disabled children 27-Feb-2025

Summary: Mrs G complained about the decision by NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (the ICB) to reduce the night-time support for her child, D. She also complained about the way Milton Keynes Council (the Council) considered respite for the family and a preferred placement. We found fault in the way the ICB decided to reduce night-time support as it did not follow the recommendations from an independent assessment or properly consider the impact its decision would have on D’s parents. This likely caused D’s parents avoidable worry and distress. The Council did not provide enough support to meet the family’s needs but acted to put things right during our investigation. There was a lack of joined up working when assessing D’s health and social care needs. The ICB and Council have accepted our recommendations to complete a holistic review of D’s needs, apologise to Mrs G, make acknowledgement payments and improve their processes. We have now completed our investigation.

Southend-on-Sea City Council (23 004 755)

Report Upheld Disabled children 25-Feb-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained that an assessment of her son’s needs inappropriately depicted her wishes and feelings as negative and social workers did not communicate or engage with her appropriately. Mrs X also complained that the Council failed to carry out a proper parent carer’s needs assessment. We found there was no failure to engage and communicate with Mrs X and the statements made in the assessment amounted to professional judgements which we would not criticise. However, we found there was a failure to carry out a proper parent carer’s needs assessment. This was fault. The fault was significant and justified a public report because this was repeated fault which was not put right after a previous investigation we conducted found the same fault and recommended action to put it right. We also found that the Council failed to use the correct complaint process and its response to the complaint was significantly delayed. The failings in the assessment process and complaint handling meant a significant delay in assessing Mrs X to establish what support she may need and the matter has led to frustration and distress.

Coventry City Council (24 009 126)

Statement Upheld Disabled children 24-Feb-2025

Summary: The Council failed to properly explain its appeal decision in response to Ms X’s request for a Blue Badge. This has caused Ms X uncertainty about whether the Council considered her appeal properly. In recognition of the injustice caused, the Council has agreed to apologise, pay Ms X £150 and take action to prevent recurrence of the fault in future.

Cheshire East Council (24 016 404)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled children 22-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of a Council officer in carrying out an assessment of the complainant’s son’s needs. This is because investigation would achieve nothing significant.

Devon County Council (24 007 318)

Statement Upheld Disabled children 21-Feb-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s handling of his son, Y’s care. He also complained about delays in complaint handling. Mr X said this distressed him and Y did not receive the respite care specified in his Education, Health and Care Plan. The Council was at fault. It delayed completing the complaint process and Y missed respite provision. This frustrated Mr X and he was put to time and trouble to complain. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a financial payment and provide guidance to its staff.

Kent County Council (24 003 873)

Statement Upheld Disabled children 18-Feb-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council carried out a flawed assessment of J’s needs, wrongly deciding J was ineligible for support from the Council’s disabled children’s team. In doing so, Mr X said the Council reneged on a previous commitment to keep J open to services long-term. Mr X also complained the Council failed to conduct the children’s statutory complaints procedure properly and did not address the substance of his complaint. We have found the Council at fault for a delay in completing the second stage of the statutory complaints procedure. The Council had offered a remedy for the injustice caused, which we consider suitable. We have not found the Council at fault for how it considered Mr X’s complaint as part of the statutory complaints procedure. We will therefore not consider the substantive matter.

Liverpool City Council (24 014 747)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled children 12-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal of a blue badge for her child. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to justify our further involvement.

Suffolk County Council (24 015 896)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled children 11-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful application for a Blue Badge. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.