Kingston Council Apologizes for Failing to Provide Therapy to Boy with Special Educational Needs

The boy missed out on the support he needed for eight months (stock image)
(Image: vitapix/Getty Images)

A South London council failed to provide therapy for a boy with special educational needs (SEN) for eight months. The boy’s mum said he could not cope with his anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) while Kingston Council failed to secure speech and language and occupational therapy for him.

A Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman report said the council failed to provide the boy, referred to as Y, with the support he needed for two school terms. The watchdog found this caused him and his mum, named Ms X, distress and uncertainty.

Y had an education, health and care (EHC) plan, which set out the support he required. The council ruled he would need 12 hours each of speech and language therapy and occupational therapy a year when he transitioned to an education otherwise than at school (EOTAS) package in September 2023.

The Council’s Failure to Provide Therapy

Kingston Council said it was committed to continuous improvement of its SEND services
(Image: Charlotte Lillywhite)

Ms X raised concerns about the number of therapy hours that were being used for indirect and administrative tasks during a review of Y’s EHC plan in September 2024. The therapy provider said in November it was withdrawing provision for Y as it did not have his mum’s consent to use its model of delivering therapy.

The watchdog said that while the council worked to find suitable alternative therapy providers, it did not manage to secure this until May 2025.

The report said: “This was fault and left Y without the required provision between September 2024 and May 2025. It also caused Ms X frustration and uncertainty as to when the council would secure the provision for Y.”

The council agreed to apologize to Ms X and pay her £600 for the two terms of missed provision.

SEND Failings Sparked Protests

The findings come after Kingston and Richmond parents took part in a protest on November 3 called Every Pair Tells a Story, which saw pairs of shoes lined up outside council headquarters in England and Scotland. Campaigners said they represented thousands of children failed by the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system.

Families gathered outside Kingston’s headquarters to describe endless battles to get the right support for their children. They told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) their children were struggling in unsuitable mainstream schools, missing out on vital support and waiting months to years for EHC plans to outline the help they needed.

The council told the LDRS at the time it had worked to address these concerns through its local SEND partnership board, while it was committed to doing more to help families.

Responding to the ombudsman’s findings, a council spokesperson said: “We accept the ombudsman’s findings in this individual case. The steps we have already started to take align with the action plan produced to improve the commissioning, monitoring and delivery of therapy provision for pupils.

“While the vast majority of children and young people in Kingston receive the support set out in their plans through local arrangements, we recognize that on this occasion our local services fell short of the standard they are entitled to expect, and we remain committed to continuous improvement of our SEND services.”

Conclusion

The failure of Kingston Council to provide therapy to a boy with special educational needs for eight months is a concerning example of the challenges faced by families with children who have SEN. The council’s apology and payment of £600 to the boy’s mother are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that children with SEN receive the support they need.

The protest by parents in Kingston and Richmond highlights the need for urgent action to address the failings of the SEND system. The government and local authorities must work together to provide adequate funding and resources to support children with SEN and ensure that they receive the education and care they deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an EHC plan?

An EHC plan is an education, health and care plan that sets out the support a child with special educational needs requires. It is a legal document that outlines the child’s needs and the support they need to receive.

Q: What is the role of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman?

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is an independent watchdog that investigates complaints about local authorities and their provision of services, including education and social care.

Q: How can I get support for my child with SEN?

If you are concerned about your child’s SEN, you should contact your local authority’s SEN department to discuss your child’s needs and the support they may be eligible for. You can also seek advice from organizations that specialize in supporting families with children who have SEN.

Q: What is the SEND system?

The SEND system refers to the system of support and services provided to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. It includes education, health, and social care services.