The shortage of educational psychologists (EP) is significantly impacting councils’ ability to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), warns the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. An investigation into a Surrey girl’s nine-month wait for additional learning support revealed a backlog of about 1,000 needs assessments awaiting input from an EP. The delay, attributed to a national shortage of qualified psychologists, caused distress for the girl diagnosed with autism, leading to her family needing counseling. The ombudsman highlighted that this situation is not unique, with councils struggling to have the necessary specialist advisors to manage caseloads. Surrey admitted to having only half the required core EP service staffing level and a 64% increase in referrals since 2020. The government is funding training for more EPs, but the ombudsman emphasized the need for a national-scale solution, recognizing the efforts made by Surrey while urging proactive measures to address the crisis.