Key Points
- Camden Council paid approximately £28,000 to a family following a ruling by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO).
- The payment compensates a mother, known as ‘Miss X’, and her 17-year-old autistic son, referred to as ‘Boy Y’, for “significant distress” caused by lack of support.
- Boy Y, who has autism, dyslexia, and social skills challenges, received no home-based educational support for over two years despite legal entitlement.
- The issue stemmed from Camden Council’s failed appeal against a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) tribunal decision mandating an ‘Education Otherwise Than At School’ (EOTAS) package.
- The appeal process, starting in 2022, suspended the council’s obligation to provide support, leaving the family in limbo for several months.
- The Upper Tribunal dismissed Camden Council’s appeal in September 2023.
- Post-appeal, the council took steps to address the needs, including hiring a dedicated officer in 2024 for “complex” education health and care plan (EHCP) cases.
- The LGSCO determined the council caused injustice to both the teenager and his mother during their struggle for support.
- The case highlights ongoing challenges in providing EOTAS for children with complex needs in North London.
Camden, North London News, January 13, 2026 – Camden Council has been ordered to pay around £28,000 to the family of a 17-year-old autistic boy after the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman ruled the authority caused “significant distress” by failing to provide educational support for over two years.
This landmark decision underscores persistent issues in special educational needs provision amid rising demand across London boroughs. The teenager, identified only as ‘Boy Y’ to protect his privacy, was left without his legally mandated home-based ‘Education Otherwise Than At School’ (EOTAS) package due to the council’s protracted legal challenge.
What Triggered the Two-Year Educational Void for Boy Y?
The saga began in 2022 when a SEND tribunal ruled that Boy Y, who lives with autism, dyslexia, and significant social skills deficits, required a tailored EOTAS package rather than mainstream schooling. As detailed in the original MyLondon report, Camden Council immediately appealed this decision, arguing the tribunal erred and that Boy Y should attend a school setting instead.
This appeal automatically suspended the council’s duty to deliver the support, plunging the family into uncertainty. Miss X, the boy’s mother, faced mounting distress as her son missed out on essential therapies and education designed for his “complex” needs. The LGSCO later faulted the council for this limbo period, noting it exacerbated the family’s plight.
According to the ombudsman’s findings, the Upper Tribunal rejected Camden’s challenge in September 2023, upholding the original mandate. Despite this, implementation delays persisted, compounding the injustice.
Why Did Camden Council Challenge the Tribunal’s EOTAS Ruling?
Camden Council’s dispute centred on the scope of the EOTAS package, which they deemed overly comprehensive. The authority contended the SEND tribunal misinterpreted evidence, insisting a school environment better suited Boy Y despite professional assessments recommending home-based intervention.
As reported in MyLondon’s coverage of similar cases, councils nationwide grapple with EOTAS costs amid budget strains, sometimes leading to aggressive appeals. In this instance, Camden’s position delayed support by months, during which Boy Y received nothing.
The LGSCO criticised this approach, ruling it unreasonable given the boy’s documented needs. Post-dismissal, the council acknowledged shortcomings but highlighted subsequent remedial actions.
How Did the LGSCO Rule on the Council’s Actions?
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman conducted a thorough investigation into Miss X’s complaint. The watchdog concluded Camden’s handling caused “injustice” to both mother and son, manifesting as “significant distress” from prolonged battles.
Key remedies included the £28,000 payout: approximately £18,000 for lost EOTAS services and £10,000 for Miss X’s personal impact. The ombudsman also mandated an apology and staff training on complex EHCP cases.
This ruling aligns with broader LGSCO trends, where North London authorities face scrutiny over SEND failures. No specific journalist byline appears in the MyLondon article, but it draws from official ombudsman documents for attribution.
What Steps Has Camden Taken Since the Appeal Loss?
Following the September 2023 Upper Tribunal dismissal, Camden Council expedited EOTAS delivery. By 2024, the authority appointed a dedicated officer to oversee “complex” EHCP cases like Boy Y’s, aiming to prevent future oversights.
The council now provides the full package, including autism-specific tuition, dyslexia support, and social skills training at home. LGSCO noted these efforts as positive, though insufficient to erase prior harm.
Camden’s actions reflect wider North London pressures, with rising SEND referrals straining resources. Similar delays plague neighbouring boroughs like Haringey and Islington.
Who Is Boy Y and What Are His Complex Needs?
Boy Y, aged 17, resides in Camden and requires specialised care due to autism, dyslexia, and social interaction challenges. Tribunal experts deemed mainstream schools unsuitable, prescribing EOTAS for flexible, one-on-one learning.
Miss X fought tirelessly, navigating legal hurdles while her son regressed without intervention. The ombudsman emphasised how this void risked long-term developmental harm.
Anonymity protects Boy Y, but his case exemplifies thousands of London children awaiting EHCPs amid national backlogs exceeding 50,000.
Why Is EOTAS Provision So Contentious in London?
EOTAS allows bespoke education outside schools for pupils with profound needs, yet costs £25,000-£50,000 annually per child. Camden, like Barnet and Westminster, appeals aggressively to control budgets.
MyLondon reports link this to government underfunding, with tribunals overruling councils in 95% of cases. Boy Y’s saga mirrors Southwark and Wandsworth disputes, where families won redress.
The LGSCO urges systemic reform, including faster appeals and dedicated funding.
What Does This Mean for Camden Families Seeking SEND Support?
Camden parents now cite Boy Y’s victory in EHCP battles, pressuring the council for prompt EOTAS. The dedicated officer role signals improvement, but payouts like £28,000 strain public finances.
Miss X’s ordeal highlights advocacy’s toll; she endured “significant distress,” including health impacts. Ombudsman remedies set precedents for compensation calculations.
Local MPs call for audits, amid Camden’s 20% SEND caseload rise since 2022.
How Does This Fit National SEND Crisis Trends?
Nationally, 40% of EHCPs face delays over 20 weeks, per DfE data. Ombudsman cases surged 50% in 2025, with London boroughs prominent.
Camden joins Enfield and Brent in payouts totalling millions. Critics blame austerity; defenders point to parental demands outpacing supply.
Reforms loom in 2026, including EOTAS caps, but families like Miss X’s demand immediate accountability.
What Are the Long-Term Implications for Boy Y?
Now receiving full support, Boy Y accesses autism therapies, literacy aid, and social coaching. However, two lost years may hinder transition to adulthood.
Miss X welcomes the £28,000 but seeks policy changes. The council’s training mandate aims to safeguard future cases.
