Ellie Ames 04 September 2023

Surge in upheld SEND complaints

Surge in upheld SEND complaints image
Image: antoniodiaz / Shutterstock.com

A growing number of complaints involving special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision and education, health and care (EHC) plans are being upheld by the local government ombudsman.

This year (1 April to date), the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has upheld 80% more cases involving SEND and EHC plans than in the same period last year.

Since April this year, the ombudsman has upheld 308 related cases; in the equivalent period in 2022, it had upheld 168.

The LGSCO also said it had seen a ‘significant increase’ in cases relating to SEND assessment and reviews.

Cases involving the ombudsman have involved children with SEND being without a school placement for extensive periods of time.

Complaints also involve delays to councils drawing up EHC plans. In some cases, this was caused by a shortage of educational psychologists (EPs) to inform councils’ work on the plans.

Research published by the Department for Education (DfE) in June found that 88% of councils were struggling to recruit EPs, while a third were struggling to retain them.

Jake Runacres, policy officer at the National Autistic Society, said: ‘Parents should not have to resort to making formal complaints in order to secure the right help and support for their children at school. ‘

But the SEND system is simply not working for many autistic children, and their families are left fighting to get the support they need.’

The LGSCO said its data on complaints is provisional and will go through a verification process later in the year.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Domestic Assistant

Wakefield Council
£13,403.24 to £13,613.51, pro rata. Grade 3.
Hazel Garth is a Dementia Care Home based in Knottingley. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Reablement Care & Support Worker

Wakefield Council
23,335.84 to £23,706.18, pro rata. Grade 4
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£16,940.09 to £17,208.93, pro rata. Grade 4.
Do you want to help others live independently with dignity, choice, and respect? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata
The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Temporary Accommodation Visiting Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37,602 - £45,564 per annum
Temporary Accommodation inspection Officer – Job Advert Fixed term – 24 months Salary - £37,602 - £44,235 per annum Full time 36Hours Location – ... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner