Richmond Council has apologised and paid £1,800 to the father of a girl with special educational needs after failing to ensure she received PE sessions outlined in her education, health and care plan (EHCP). The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found the council at fault for inadequate oversight of the provision.
Ombudsman finds council at fault
The ombudsman's report, published in July 2026, detailed that the council acted quickly to investigate the complaint from Mr X, but ultimately failed to ensure that the PE provision in his daughter Y's EHCP was being delivered. The plan, in place since August 2024, specified that PE sessions should be delivered at her specialist school, respecting her capacity for engagement.
"This caused Mr X avoidable distress and frustration," the report stated. "It meant Y lost out on the opportunity to access the specified provision."
Financial compensation and apology
The council apologised to Mr X and paid him £1,800 for the missed PE provision over the ombudsman's investigation period. Mr X had told the ombudsman that as of late May 2026, his daughter was still not receiving any PE sessions.
A Richmond Council spokesperson said: "We deeply regret that, in this case, Y did not receive all the provision set out in their Education, Health and Care Plan. We have accepted the ombudsman’s findings in full, issued a written apology and made a financial offer in line with the ombudsman’s recommendations."
Council promises improvements
The council's children's services contractor, Achieving for Children (AfC), will introduce improved practices ahead of the new academic year. The ombudsman's report noted that the council agreed to ensure the PE provision would start in September 2026, when Y moves to a new placement.
The council spokesperson added: "We are committed to ensuring children and young people receive the support they need and are entitled to through their education, health and care plans. In response to the findings, Achieving for Children is reviewing its current practice and introducing stronger oversight of section F provision for new and amended EHCPs, particularly where a change of placement takes place. We expect these improvements to be in place ahead of the new academic year."
