One vulnerable child missed five-and-a-half terms of education and two years of therapy because of council failures.
Another disabled child was left living in an unsuitable property for longer than necessary, causing their family significant distress.
Both cases were investigated by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) following complaints, and Worcestershire County Council were told to pay compensation to the children’s families.
One councillor said these cases would be the “tip of the iceberg” and many more people suffer poor service.
READ MORE: Council failings left child living in unsuitable property
READ MORE: Worcestershire County Council failed vulnerable child
At a full council meeting on Thursday (January 9) Marcus Hart, cabinet member for corporate services and communities, said: “On behalf of Worcestershire County Council and its partners, it is absolutely right and proper that we should acknowledge and recognise when we get things wrong.
“And on behalf of Worcestershire, I apologise and say sorry to the affected individuals in both of these reports.
“I don’t in any way make any excuse on behalf of Worcestershire County Council although I do think it’s important for members, our electorate, our communities and our service users to contextualise that in the overwhelming majority of cases I’m pleased to say we get things right.
READ MORE: Worcestershire County Council warned by Local Government Ombudsman
“I genuinely believe, on behalf of the vulnerable adults and children we serve in this county, and all of those eligible for SEND, that in the vast majority of cases we do get things right.”
Cllr Hart said: “These reports are a rarity and an exception to the norm,” but added: “It’s important when we receive these reports that we do learn the lessons.”
He said all of the recommendations set out by the LGSCO would be completed within the three-month deadline.
Cllr Lynn Denham said: “Every single case that goes to the ombudsman is incredibly serious – and this council has had a higher rate of referrals to the ombudsman than many other councils.
“Let’s face it, to go to the ombudsman is the tip of the iceberg. There are other customers or recipients of county council services that don’t have the stamina or the ability to complain but have also suffered from poor service.”
In July last year, the ombudsman warned the council about how long it takes to deal with complaints – for the fifth year in a row.
It upheld 23 complaints against the authority in the year to March 2024.