CYP Now - Councils' failings lead to lack of options for children with SEND, ombudsman warns

Parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are being denied a choice in their children's support due to councils’ failure to “fully understand” how their personal budgets are used, a local government and social care ombudsman (LGO) report finds.

'Confusion' among councils around personal budgets is also leading to children missing school and accessing help, the LGO warns. Picture: Mediteraneo/Adobe Stock

Personal budgets were introduced to give parents more choice and control over how children with educational, health and care plans (EHCPs) are supported.

But interim LGO Paul Najsarek found “common problems” across local authorities, which he says are failing to understand the personal budget process.

This includes many councils failing to offer information to parents “that these budgets are even an option”.

One council failed to recognise a parent's request for funding as being for a personal budget.

Delays are also blighting parent's requests for funding. At one council this was while officials considered a parent’s request. Another was late making payments.

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