July 2, 2020, BBC: Ombudsman report: Boy with special needs failed by council twice https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-53254303 A mother and her son who has special educational needs has twice been failed by a local authority, the Local Government Ombudsman has said. In 2018, Norfolk County Council was accused by the ombudsman of not ensuring the boy received suitable education for a period of eight months. Now it is accused of leaving him without suitable education for seven months after school placement problems. The council said it has apologised to the family and paid compensation. The ombudsman was asked to investigate after the mother said the council had failed to provide her son with a suitable education after his school placement broke down, meaning he was without proper education…. He said the council has agreed to compensate the mother for the cost of a tutor, pay her £1,400 [$1,700 (U.S.)] for the time the son was without a suitable education and a further £250 for the distress it caused…. "This case reflects the national pressure that all local authorities across the country are experiencing when it comes to meeting the ever increasing demand from families for special educational needs and disability support for their children," he said.
