Explain
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO)
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigates complaints about councils, including delay in assessments and reviews, provision in a plan not being secured, and social care. The council's own complaints process normally has to be used first. The Ombudsman cannot normally look at matters that could be appealed to the SEND Tribunal. It also cannot look at the internal running of a council-maintained school, such as teaching, the curriculum and discipline, except where it relates to special educational needs. Complaints normally have to be made within 12 months.
- Type of rule
- Law (Act or Regulations)
- Rule id
lgsco- Rules version
- england-2026.10
- Law as at
- 30 September 2026
Sources
- Local Government Act 1974, s 26(5)Law (Act or Regulations)
- Local Government Act 1974, s 26(6)Law (Act or Regulations)
- Local Government Act 1974, s 26BLaw (Act or Regulations)
- Local Government Act 1974, Sch 5 para 5(2)Law (Act or Regulations), to verifyStill open: whether Schedule 5 para 5(2) has been amended since 1 September 2021.
Related
- The council's duty to secure the provision (section 42)
- Time limits for assessments and plans (6, 16 and 20 weeks)
- Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO)
- Judicial review
In an assistant, the ehcp_challenge_options tool helps with this: Ways to challenge a decision.
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