The problems suffered by families of SEND children due to councils’ failures to set up EHCPs can be revealed after an analysis of soaring local government ombudsman complaints.
SEND complaints to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman have nearly tripled over the past five years, from 509 in 2018-19 to 1,435 so far this financial year.
Of the complaints that have been investigated, 94 per cent were upheld – up from 85 per cent five years ago.
The independent ombudsman (LGSCO) investigates complaints from parents about councils’ administrative actions and can set recommendations and request that councils pay compensation.
