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Parents Borrow Funds as Council Fails Special Needs Child
2 Jun
Summary
- Parents borrowed money due to council's nine-month delay in funding.
- Child missed crucial therapies due to the funding lapse.
- Ombudsman recommended a £1,000 payment for distress caused.
West Sussex County Council (WSCC) has been found at fault by the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman for a delay exceeding nine months in funding a child's special needs educational support. The council's failure to provide necessary funds, as outlined in the child's education, health, and care plan, forced his parents to borrow money.
The delayed payment, intended for the summer term, was not made until February. This significant lapse meant the child missed out on crucial one-to-one support, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy. The ombudsman recommended WSCC pay £1,000 to the family, acknowledging the distress caused by the excessive delay for which no explanation was provided.
