Ealing Lib Dems Say Problems in SEND Provision are Systemic

Claim understaffing in speech therapy team led to watchdog censure

Cllr Jonathan Oxley, the Lib Dem spokesperson for children’s services, said case was “reprehensible but not unexpected"

January 26, 2026

Opposition councillors have sharply criticised Ealing Council following a watchdog ruling that found the authority failed to deliver essential speech and language therapy for a young autistic child, prompting a compensation payment to the family. While the council has apologised and outlined steps to improve services, the Liberal Democrats say the case reflects deeper, systemic problems in the borough’s support for children with special educational needs.

Ealing Liberal Democrats said the Ombudsman’s findings highlight what they describe as long-standing failings in the council’s delivery of statutory services. They argue that the missed therapy provision—lasting months and requiring the family to arrange and initially fund sessions themselves—was the result of under-resourcing and low morale within specialist teams.

The party also criticised what it called poor communication with the child’s parent, noting that the Ombudsman found repeated delays and unanswered emails even after the council had acknowledged faults.

Councillor Jonathan Oxley, the Lib Dem spokesperson for children’s services, said the case was “reprehensible but not unexpected,” pointing to recent strike action among specialist sensory teachers and unfilled posts within the SEND service.

“Is it any surprise that Labour-run Ealing Council have been forced to apologise and pay compensation to the parents of a vulnerable child?” he said. “The council’s failure to treat a child with speech and language impairments for a year is reprehensible but not unexpected given Labour’s poor track record on children’s services.”

He added that neighbouring boroughs such as Harrow and Brent employ larger specialist teams, arguing that Ealing has failed to recruit to all its posts. Oxley also linked the case to the council’s controversial plans to close ten children’s centres—proposals currently subject to judicial review.

“Once again, Labour’s fine words on supporting vulnerable children are not matched by deeds,” he said.

The Lib Dems say the case is emblematic of a broader pattern of delays, communication failures and unmet statutory duties affecting families across the borough. They argue that the Ombudsman’s findings reinforce concerns raised by parents and campaigners about the council’s capacity to deliver EHCP-mandated support.

The party also warned that proposed changes to early years and SEND provision could further weaken support for families unless the council commits to protecting frontline services.

Ealing Council did not respond to a request for comment on the opposition’s criticism. In its statement to the Ombudsman, the council apologised to the family, acknowledged the distress caused by delays, and said it had reviewed its commissioning arrangements to prevent similar failures.

The authority said national shortages of therapists had contributed to the difficulties and highlighted recent improvements recognised in an Ofsted SEND inspection.

The Ombudsman has instructed the council to ensure future EHCP provision is delivered on time and to strengthen communication with families. Opposition councillors say they will continue to scrutinise the council’s performance, arguing that vulnerable children cannot afford further delays or service gaps.

Written with contributions from Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter