A major audit into special needs provision for vulnerable children in Richmond is still expected to be published, despite the coronavirus crisis.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman called for an audit of 1,495 Educational Health Care Plans for children with special needs in January after a number of complaints about the borough’s provision.

The ombudsman said its investigation into three complaints had found missing documents, mislabelled files, and protocols ignored.

It asked the borough to conduct an independent audit into individual case records of all children and young people with Education Health Care Plans and to allow parents and carers to contribute their views on their child’s assessment and provision, due to be completed by April 13.

On Thursday (March 26) the ombudsman suspended all casework activity that demands information or action from local authorities and care providers in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

However, Richmond Council said it still expects to report back to the ombudsman mid-April as planned.

According to the borough’s children’s services provider, Achieving for Children (AfC), the audit was nearing completion before the announcement.

As of March 20, 1,421 out of 1,495 EHCP audits had been completed.

The ombudsman said it had taken the step to suspend casework “in the wider public interest” to protect the capacity of local authorities and care providers to “deliver vital frontline services during the current outbreak.”

The ombudsman’s phoneline and online complaints submission form will likewise be closed until further notice.

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Michael King, said: “We need to do all we can to support the vital work local authorities and care providers are doing for the communities they serve in co-ordinating the response to the Covid-19 threat.

“By temporarily suspending our enquiries until government advice changes, we will allow care homes and councils the breathing space they need to deliver those frontline activities without distraction.

“Councils and care providers are far better placed than we are to respond to any local complaints, particularly those that are the most serious and high risk.

“We still expect local authorities and care providers to respond appropriately to any complaints they receive during this time, but we understand this may look different to their normal arrangements. We will be picking this up with them once we are told normal service can resume.”