London Borough of Barnet (25 016 916)

Statement Not upheld School transport 22-Sep-2026

Summary: Miss X complained on behalf of her daughter Y about the Council’s decision to provide a personal transport allowance instead of making the transport arrangements itself, and then failed to provide adequate funding to cover the transport. We find no fault in how the Council made its decision to provide a personal transport allowance and therefore cannot question the outcome. We have decided to end our investigation into matters after that point, which includes the level of funding, because it is reasonable for Miss X to have appealed the Council’s decision to provide an allowance, she did not do so, and we cannot achieve the outcome Miss X wants.

Birmingham City Council (25 020 556)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 22-Sep-2026

Summary: We found the Council at fault for not considering and recording its section 19 duties when Dr X asked for alternative provision in November 2024 and in February 2025 when Y missed 15 school days. The Council agreed to apologise to Dr X and Y and pay £200 to recognise the avoidable distress and uncertainty its actions caused to Dr X and Y. The Council has also agreed to carry out service improvements about how it makes, carries out and communicates decisions about its section 19 duties.

Leeds City Council (25 016 580)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 22-Sep-2026

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to complete the Education, Health and Care (EHC) assessment process and issue her son, Y’s, final EHC Plan within statutory timescales. She also complained it failed to provide appropriate alternative provision to Y. The Council was at fault. It did not complete the EHC assessment process and issue Y’s final EHC Plan within statutory timescales. It also delayed arranging alternative provision for Y and did not appropriately evidence how it considered the amount of provision it offered was suitable. Because of the fault, Ms X suffered uncertainty and a frustrated right of appeal. Y also missed out on provision. The Council will make symbolic payments.

Leicestershire County Council (25 016 773)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 22-Sep-2026

Summary: Ms F complained the Council caused delays in the Education, Health and Care plan process for her daughter (X) and failed to find her a suitable specialist placement. The Council apologised and made a payment to acknowledge the impact its delays caused. We found the Council’s remedy was appropriate. It was not at fault for failing to provide X with an education and special educational needs provision for the 2024/25 academic year as a school and alternative provision placement was available to her.

Blackpool Borough Council (25 025 616)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 22-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a council officer’s conduct and the content of their report for the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment process. This is because Miss X has used her right of appeal to challenge the Council’s decision not to issue an Education, Health and Care Plan and it would not be a good use of our resources to investigate separately how the Council dealt with her complaint about the matter.

Worcestershire County Council (26 013 547)

Statement Upheld School transport 22-Sep-2026

Summary: We upheld Miss X’s complaint about how the Council handled her application for school travel assistance. The Council agreed to resolve the complaint early by issuing an apology and offering Miss X a fresh appeal.

Lincolnshire County Council (26 000 606)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 22-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to decline Miss X’s application for post 16 education transport for her child. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault in how the Council considered the matter to justify investigating.

Worcestershire County Council (26 002 029)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Alternative provision 22-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint that the Council refused her request for compensation because it is too late.

Leicestershire County Council (25 018 902)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 21-Sep-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained her son has been out of education since July 2024 due to delays in the Education Health and Care Plan process. She says the alternative provision has been limited and does not amount to a full-time suitable education which she says has left her unable to work and has caused distress to the whole family. There were delays and the Council failed to properly consider its duties to provide a suitable full-time education including provision for special educational needs. A remedy including an apology and symbolic payment is agreed.

Essex County Council (25 021 028)

Statement Upheld School transport 21-Sep-2026

Summary: Mr X complained the council changed his daughter’s transport arrangements which resulted in her travelling without essential equipment as the Council said the transport provider could not accommodate the equipment. We have found the Council was at fault. The Council will now take action to address the injustice.