Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (25 011 296)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 28-Jul-2026

Summary: We upheld a complaint the Council delayed in reviewing an Education, Health and Care Plan. It also failed to respond with enough urgency when alternative education provision for the complainant’s son broke down. This contributed to a loss of education provision during the 2024-25 academic year, which was an injustice. The Council has accepted these findings and agreed action to remedy that injustice and reflect further on how it might avoid a repeat of the fault.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 012 533)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 28-Jul-2026

Summary: We found fault with the Council failing to complete the annual review process of Miss X’s child’s Education, Health and Care Plan for slightly over two outside the statutory timescales. We also found fault with the Council failing to ensure Miss X’s child had access to suitable and accessible full-time education and their full Education, Health and Care provision for slightly over two academic years. And, we found fault with the Council’s communication with Miss X. The Council has produced an up-to-date Education, Health and Care Plan since Miss X brought her complaint to the Ombudsman. The Council has agreed to apologise to Miss X and provide symbolic payments for Miss X’s frustration and inconvenience and her child’s missed education and Education, Health and Care Plan provision.

Hertfordshire County Council (25 013 712)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 28-Jul-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to act on its decision a special school would be suitable for her son, who I will refer to as Y. She also complained the Council did not provide alternative provision to Y, and its communication was poor. The Council was at fault. It failed to properly consider whether it had a section 19 duty, failed to issue decision letters following annual reviews, and delayed issuing the final amended Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan. Its communication was also poor. Mrs X and Y suffered distress and uncertainty, and Mrs X had a delayed right of appeal as a result. The Council will apologise to Mrs X and make symbolic payments.

Lincolnshire County Council (25 014 439)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 28-Jul-2026

Summary: We upheld a complaint from Miss X finding the Council did not do enough to try and secure education for her son, when his school could not meet his special educational needs. We find this resulted in a significant loss of education to Miss X’s son, which was an injustice. The Council has accepted these findings and agreed action to remedy the injustice and improve its service to try and prevent a repeat.

Medway Council (25 016 173)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 28-Jul-2026

Summary: Miss X complains the Council delayed in issuing her child, Y’s, Education, Health and Care Plan. Miss X also says the Council gave incorrect information about whether consultations had been sent out or responses received. Miss X says this caused her distress and for Y’s education to be affected. We have found fault in the Councils actions for failing to issue Y’s Education, Health and Care Plan within statutory timescales. The Council has agreed to write to Ms X to apologise, pay her a symbolic payment and complete a service improvement.

Suffolk County Council (25 018 347)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 28-Jul-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained about the way the Council dealt with her son, Y’s education. The Council was at fault for delaying in issuing Y’s Education, Health and Care Plan. This caused Mrs X and Y distress, frustration and uncertainty. The Council has already apologised and offered a financial remedy. The Council should provide evidence it has made the financial remedy.

East Sussex County Council (25 021 767)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 28-Jul-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint as it is unlikely we would find the Council was at fault in refusing to provide education and support differently to that set out in a Tribunal ordered Education Health and Care Plan.

London Borough of Hackney (26 010 713)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 28-Jul-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to update an Education Health and Care Plan following an annual review meeting. The complaint is late and there are no good reasons for us to exercise discretion to consider it now.

London Borough of Ealing (25 024 283)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 28-Jul-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Education, Health and Care Plan process and the provision because Miss X has used her right to appeal to the Tribunal. We will not consider complaints about Subject Access Requests because they are best considered by the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Hampshire County Council (25 025 380)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 28-Jul-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about school transport because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.