Mum wins £7,100 payout over care assessment delays
Getty ImagesA mother has been awarded £7,100 and given a written apology from West Northamptonshire Council after delays caused her son to miss out on two and a half years of suitable education.
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) said there was a "considerable delay" in completing a care assessment for the student, who had special educational needs (SEND).
Michael Stratton, cabinet member for children, families and education at the Reform UK-led council, said while it could not comment on individual cases, it did acknowledge the ombudsman's findings.
"We apologise for the delays identified and the impact on the child and their family," he said.
West Northamptonshire CouncilThe ombudsman's report said the pupil had requested an education, health and care plan (EHCP) from the council in December 2022.
But the authority missed its 20-week deadline and did not issue a final EHCP until January 2024.
The council named a school that could take on the pupil in May 2024.
His family appealed against the plan and, in February 2025, the authority was ordered to issue a new one.
The following month, it named a new school, which the child has attended since then.
Council SEND teams were going through "considerable change" during the period investigated, the ombudsman found.
The council said the delay was due to a shortage of educational psychologists.
The report stated the authority explained that work had been done to ensure such situations did not recur, including issuing guidance to staff.
The ombudsman said the council's delays and failure to implement support caused "significant uncertainty" and "injustice" to the family.
The boy's mother said she had been paying for a private tutor for him since September 2023.
Stratton added that the council was "working closely with parents and partners to ensure children receive the right support at the right time".
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