Oxfordshire County Council under fire for poor management of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Yet, the council has shown a “staggering lack of confusion” over what its basic obligations are to these children. This issue was brought to light after the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) found significant problems in how the council provided alternative education to affected children.
This past February, the council was ordered to investigate 13 instances of SEND. These cases uncovered systemic deficiencies in providing this help for students. These cases span from December 2022 to February 2025. They announced that the pupils concerned lost more than 15 years of education due to the failure of the council. The LGO’s investigation concluded that the council’s actions were inadequate and warranted immediate attention.
As a result of these legal failures, Oxfordshire County Council is now required to pay £7,900 in compensation. This compensation is fully justified for a family that lost four complete terms of educational opportunity for their child. This decision further highlights the council’s persistent failure to face up to its responsibilities and provide an adequate standard of service for children with SEND.
Lisa Lyons, the director of children’s services at Oxfordshire County Council, said they were alarmed by the gravity of what was at stake. The council has taken immediate action to review the 13 upheld complaints, demonstrating a commitment to rectify past mistakes and enhance the educational experience for children with SEND.
The LGO’s report serves as a critical reminder for local authorities to adhere strictly to their responsibilities towards vulnerable children. Yet the council’s prior gross incompetence sacrificed these children’s educational fortunes. It raised a red flag for a lot of people over the council’s grasp of its legal obligations.
