Investigation Finds Serious Failings in Hounslow's SEND Provision
Council apologies to parent of child whose education was harmed
Councillor Madeeha Asim says sorry for issues that arose before she joined the cabinet. Picture: YouTube
July 17, 2026
Hounslow Council has formally accepted a Public Interest Report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman after an investigation found serious failings in the authority’s handling of special educational needs provision for a child attending a school outside the borough.
The report, considered at a Cabinet meeting this week, concluded that the council failed to secure the speech and language therapy and occupational therapy set out in the child’s Education, Health and Care Plan for two school terms, and did not give the child’s parent, referred to as Mr X, the information needed to make an informed decision about a change of school placement.
The Ombudsman found that these failures caused injustice, affecting the child’s educational progress and personal development, and leaving the parent distressed and frustrated.
At the Cabinet meeting, Councillor Madeeha Asim, newly appointed Portfolio Holder for Children and Young Futures, opened her first major item with an apology, saying she wanted to begin by apologising to the child and their family. She was not responsible for the department when the failings occurred, but said the council accepted the Ombudsman’s findings in full. The authority has already issued a formal apology to the family and paid £1,700 in compensation to recognise the loss of therapy provision and the distress caused.
The Ombudsman’s decision centres on the council’s non-delegable duty under section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014 to secure the provision specified in an EHC Plan. Even when a child attends a school in another local authority area, responsibility for ensuring therapy and specialist support remains with the home council. In this case, a misunderstanding of that duty contributed to a disrupted school placement and a loss of essential therapy.
The council has now set out an action plan to strengthen oversight of EHC Plan provision, particularly for children educated outside the borough, including clearer commissioning arrangements, improved staff training, better written guidance for parents, regular audits of provision delivery and strengthened management oversight.
The Cabinet discussion took place against a backdrop of wider criticism of Hounslow Council’s handling of vulnerable residents. In a separate case reported recently by the Ombudsman, a woman lost all of her belongings after being evicted from her home when the council promised to look after them but instead disposed of everything.
The Ombudsman ordered the council to pay compensation following multiple failings in the handling of the eviction, adding further pressure on the authority’s commitment to improving its services.
The SEND report also highlights ongoing financial pressures. The High Needs Block, the ring-fenced government grant that funds specialist provision, remains under strain. The council reported a £0.2 million overspend in 2025/26 and a cumulative Dedicated Schools Grant deficit of £11.8 million.
The 2026/27 budget forecasts a further £4.2 million in-year deficit, largely due to flat funding levels. Despite these challenges, the council says the cost of implementing the Ombudsman’s recommendations can be met from existing budgets.
The Ombudsman’s intervention reflects a broader national picture in which councils are struggling to meet statutory SEND duties amid rising demand, complex placements and financial pressure. Hounslow’s case illustrates how gaps in oversight, particularly for children educated outside the borough, can have serious consequences for families.
The council has committed to regular monitoring through its SEND governance structures and will provide ongoing assurance to the Ombudsman to confirm that the required improvements are being delivered.
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