Telford & Wrekin Council caused ‘injustice’ over daughter’s special education plan
Child lost almost a school year's worth of aspects of her education care plan, ombudsman finds
Telford & Wrekin Council has apologised and agreed to make a ‘symbolic payment’ to a mother after an ombudsman found it caused injustice to her daughter’s special educational provision.
Mrs X complained to the council in March 2005 after her daughter had not received therapy support provision as part of her education.
The plan had been reviewed in January 2025 but Mrs X had been unhappy at proposed amendments.
Officials at the council had upheld a complaint over a delay in an annual review but initially did not agree that aspects of it had been missed.
Council officers changed their minds and upheld the complaint after getting information from the school. But it stated that here was no evidence of any adverse impact to the daughter as a result.
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman reviewed a range of email exchanges between the council and Mrs X.
The Ombudsman reported that the council had said there had been no impact to Y of the missed provision and “there was evidence of Mrs X refusing support.”
But Mrs X said she had not refused support and the Ombudsman found that the council “provided no further evidence to show Mrs X refused support.”
The council accepted it was at fault because “it could not evidence that provision was actually in place.
“It also accepted that there were gaps in provision.”
Mrs X also provided evidence of her daughter’s education being hindered by the lack of provision.
The ombudsman agreed that the missing provision is in itself an “injustice”.
They added: “On the balance of probabilities, this missed provision caused some further negative impacts to Y.”
The ombudsman wrote that the council has identified a range of improvements as a result of the complaint.
This includes “improved communication with parents so they are included throughout and receive timely updates.”
The ombudsman recommended that the council should apologise to Mrs X, pay her £2,700, and prove that it has complied.
A Telford & Wrekin Council spokesperson confirmed to the LDRS that it had taken action.
They said: “Following a recent complaint to the ombudsman, Telford & Wrekin Council has accepted the ombudsman’s judgement to uphold the complaint.
“The council has since taken actions required by the ombudsman, including apologising to the complainant and making a symbolic payment to remedy the injustice caused.”