Ombudsman Decision: Compensation for Oxfordshire family
An Oxfordshire parent has had their complaint upheld by The Ombudsman. The parent complained on behalf of his son that Oxfordshire County Council took too long to issue their child’s Education, Health and Care plan.
The council took 38 weeks (18 weeks over the statutory limit) to complete the EHC plan and did not put in place suitable alternative education while the child was unable to attend college, meaning that the pupil missed out on appropriate education as a result.
This also led to distress and uncertainty for the parent. As a result, the council has agreed to payments for the student and the parent for these injustices.
Within one month of the decision, Oxfordshire County Council has agreed to:
Pay £1,000 as remedy for avoidable loss of education for at least one term caused by its fault in delayed completion of the EHC plan, and failing to provide alternative education. This could be used to benefit education in pursuit of his employment aspirations.
Pay the parent £500 as remedy for the avoidable distress caused to him by the delay finalising the EHCP
Within three months of the decision, Oxfordshire County Council has agreed to:
Review its corporate complaint policy to explain how it will consider remedy for injustice identified by its investigations.