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Council apologises over EHCP delay linked to educational psychologist shortage

2 mins read Education
A sharp increase in referrals for education, health and care plans (EHCPs) and a shortage of educational psychologists led to long delays in a mother accessing support for her son, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO) has ruled.
LGO Amerdeep Somal says she is 'satisfied with the council’s action plan to increase its access to educational psychologists'. Picture: LGO
LGO Amerdeep Somal says she is 'satisfied with the council’s action plan to increase its access to educational psychologists'. Picture: LGO

In September last year, a SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) tribunal overturned a decision by Leeds City Council not to refer a child, known as J, for an EHCP assessment.

The council was ordered to complete an assessment.

Following the tribunal order, the council sent assessment requests to its local educational psychology service and NHS services. These were to be returned to the council by 3 November to meet the statutory timeframe for assessments to take place.

However, according to the report by ombudsman Amerdeep Somal: “J is still waiting for an educational psychologist assessment and the council has not yet decided whether he needs an EHCP”.

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