Cambridgeshire Council Criticised for Failings to meet Boy’s SEN: Ombudsman Orders Compensation and Reforms
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) recently ruled against Cambridgeshire County Council for several shortcomings regarding a boy’s Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Plan. The council has agreed to compensate the affected family with £13,200.
The case stems from Mrs X’s complaint, asserting that since 2018, the council neglected to fulfil most of the provisions outlined in her son Y’s EHC Plan, including access to necessary resources at his designated school. Mrs X also highlighted delays in reviewing her son’s plan and inadequate consideration for his transition to adulthood.
The investigation revealed significant faults on the council’s part, including the failure to provide a transition plan for Y’s education and inadequate educational support as outlined in his EHC Plan. Y was unable to attend school between January 20, 2021, and July 10, 2023, though he received one-to-one tuition during this period.
Moreover, the council faced criticism for delays in reviewing Y’s EHC Plan, failure to consider provisions for his transition to adulthood, and inadequate consultation with relevant professionals. To address these issues, the Ombudsman recommended specific actions, including providing detailed information on the SEND Information Hub and compensating the family for the distress and incurred expenses.
Cambridgeshire County Council has acknowledged the Ombudsman’s findings, apologised for the lapses, and confirmed compliance with the recommendations. They also noted the increasing demand for EHC Plans and reiterated their commitment to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The LGSCO’s decision can be found here:
https://www.lgo.org.uk/
