Local Government Ombudsman

Also called LGSCO, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

The independent body that investigates councils for maladministration. The route for delay, not for disagreement.

What it is

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigates complaints about councils. In education it deals mostly with EHCP delays, failure to deliver provision, transport and section 19 failures.

It is free, and it can recommend an apology, a payment for injustice, and service improvements.

Where it applies

Anyone affected by a council's action. You normally have to complete the council's own complaints procedure first, and complain within 12 months.

It cannot look at anything that could have been appealed to the SEND Tribunal — the content of a plan, for instance. That split is the thing people get wrong: disagreement goes to the Tribunal, delay and non-delivery go to the Ombudsman.

How it works

You complain to the council, wait for its final response, then complain online to the Ombudsman.

Its decisions are published and searchable, which is useful: finding a decision against your own council on the same point is persuasive.

What you can ask for

Ask for the council's complaints procedure in writing and follow it — skipping it usually means being sent back.

Keep a timeline. Ombudsman findings turn on dates: when the request was made, when the deadline was, what happened.

Ask for a remedy that includes the lost provision, not only a payment. Recommendations regularly include catch-up provision.

Where to get help

lgo.org.uk. IPSEA advises on which route applies to which problem, which is the decision worth getting right first.