SPOTLIGHT

A zero sum game?

The number of SEND tribunal cases is rising and the proportion of appeals ‘lost’ by local authorities is at a record high. Lottie Winson talks to education lawyers to understand the reasons why, and sets out the results of Local Government Lawyer’s exclusive survey.

Chief executive named acting Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Rebecca Hilsenrath has been confirmed as the acting Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), from 18 April 2024.

She moves from her role as the PHSO’s Chief Executive, to which she was appointed in July 2023.

Previously Hilsenrath was the Chief Legal Officer and then Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, after which she joined the PHSO as Director of External Affairs, Strategy and Communications in 2021. 

Under Section 3A of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 and Section 2 to Schedule 1 of the Health Commissioners Act 1993, the acting Ombudsman is appointed by His Majesty by Letters Patent for up to 12 months, or until a new Ombudsman is appointed.

Rob Behrens’ term of office as Ombudsman ended on 31 March 2024.

In March this year the then Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC), William Wragg MP, wrote to Alex Allan, the PHSO’s lead Non-Executive Board Member to raise the issue of the delay in the appointment of a permanent Ombudsman.