Key Points
- A South London boy with special educational needs (SEN), referred to as Y, was left without speech and language therapy and occupational therapy for eight months.
- Kingston Council failed to provide the therapy despite the boy having an education, health and care (EHC) plan detailing his needs.
- The boy’s mother, Ms X, reported that her son struggled to cope with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during this time.
- The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found that the council’s failure caused distress and uncertainty for both the boy and his mother.
- The council had ruled Y needed 12 hours annually each of speech and language therapy and occupational therapy after transitioning to an education otherwise than at school (EOTAS) package in September 2023.
What is the background of the council’s failure to provide SEN therapy?
According to a report highlighted by local news sources, Kingston Council did not secure therapy for Y for two school terms, approximately eight months. Y, a boy with SEN, had an EHC plan that required him to receive specific therapeutic support for his speech and occupational needs. This support was fundamental in helping him manage his anxiety and OCD conditions. The council decided he needed 12 hours per year for each therapy after he transitioned in September 2023 to an EOTAS package, but the therapies were not arranged or delivered within a reasonable period.
How did the failure affect Y and his family?
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman reported that this failure caused significant distress to Y and his mother, Ms X. As reported in local media, Ms X expressed her concern over her son’s inability to cope with his mental health challenges without the therapeutic support that was due to him under his legally mandated EHC plan. The council’s neglect led to uncertainty and added emotional pressure on the family during a critical period for Y’s education and well-being.
What has the council done about SEN provisions and the wider context of SEND services in Kingston?
Recent council reports and public documents reveal that Kingston Council faces wider challenges with SEN provision. Rising numbers of EHCPs by 38% from January 2020 to January 2025 have strained resources. According to the Kingston Council’s SEND Futures Plan update, the council is piloting early intervention models and expanding specialist provisions but still faces capital funding issues and delays in school place availability. The council acknowledges the difficulty in meeting increasing SEND needs due to inflation and budget limitations but continues collaborating with local partners and schools for better inclusion and support strategies.
What role does the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman play in this case?
The Ombudsman investigates complaints about public bodies such as local councils. In this case, it concluded that Kingston Council failed to meet its statutory responsibilities by not providing necessary SEN therapies for Y. It highlighted that this failure affected the child’s mental health and education outcome, extending stress to his family. The Ombudsman’s findings serve as an official censure that requires the council to address the shortcomings in SEN service delivery.
What statements were made by the family and officials?
As reported by local journalists, Ms X, the mother, conveyed her frustration and anxiety about the council’s inability to secure therapy for her son, emphasising how critical the therapies were to support his mental health conditions. Kingston Council has acknowledged challenges but states efforts are ongoing to improve SEND services and expand capacity. The Ombudsman’s report underscores the need for urgent improvements in timely therapy provision for children like Y to prevent similar distress in the future.
