Hampshire County Council to pay £2,250 after therapy problems
- Published
The child's family will receive the compensation following the LGO's investigation
A council that caused a child injustice when it did not supply them with help they were entitled to will pay £2,250 compensation.
A report found Hampshire County Council failed to provide speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.
The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) found it went to "significant lengths" to try to find a provider but failed.
The council said it was "disappointed" its efforts "fell short in this instance" and apologised.
The investigation found the child was entitled to 15 hours of speech and language input over a school year.
The LGO said the council should pay £2,000 to remedy the impact of missed speech and language therapy and occupational therapy the child did not receive.
The authority will also pay another £250 because of other delays in an annual review process.
A spokesperson for the council said it was battling against an "unprecedented and well documented increase" in the demand for special educational provision, like many other authorities across the country.
"[The LGO] has been clear in its response that the council took significant steps to try and secure appropriate provision, and that the missed provision over two school terms was beyond the local authority's control," they added.
"We continue to liaise closely with our local NHS to help increase the availability of therapies and interventions within Hampshire, as well as develop expertise within the council to expand the support offer to meet the individual needs of children and young people."
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