England: 250% increase in complaints about SPED plans in 5 yrs; 'hugh surge in demand'

July 2, 2025, Sky News:  Watchdog upholds nearly 100% of complaints about 

NE England

The local government and social care ombudsman is the last port of call for families who have exhausted the complaints process at their local council when they cannot get the right support for their children.

Amerdeep Somal, who heads the organisation, told Sky News the number of complaints they are receiving about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has also risen almost 250% in the last five years.

"We're seeing complaints about not doing assessments for Education Health and Care Plans, not doing reviews in good time, support specified in the plan not being put into place in schools - and also poor communication so parents don't know what is happening.

Local government and social care ombudsman Amerdeep Somal says complaints about SEND provision have soared© Sky News Screen Grab

"There's been a huge surge in demand for plans. That means more complaints. That means more resources. More children need to be assessed, and that means more specialist input in schools. And that hasn't been keeping pace with the demands.

"The situation can't continue as it is at the moment - we need radical and urgent reform."

In Sefton, 15-year-old Jacob is one of the children who has fallen through the cracks. He has needs, including autism and ADHD, and has not had a consistent school place for four years.

His mum, Geraldine Pollock, says schools keep saying they cannot meet his needs, sometimes even after enrolling him.

Currently, he has been out of school for over nine months, and Geraldine spends her days trying to teach him at home to the best of her ability.

"Absolutely horrific - that is the only word that I can use to describe it. I never, ever envisaged that, as a family, we would be put in this situation," she said.

"The demand for SEND support and the challenges in the system are seen across the country and we are working hard to meet the growing need for SEND support in Sefton. We have, and will continue to, pursue every avenue to expand our specialist SEND provision to meet the demand in our borough."

The Department for Education said it accepts the SEND system needs to be reformed, and is currently consulting on what shape that will take.

The government plans to publish a White Paper in the autumn setting out the reforms, and says it recognises the 'immense need' in the sector.