Worcestershire County Council’s complaints policy has been criticised after a boy with special educational needs was left without appropriate education for 14 months.
The boy, who has Special Educational Needs (SEN), had to stop attending primary school in December 2017 because he required two-to-one support and struggled with mainstream education.
He was kept on the roll at the school, despite not being able to return, and was not provided any suitable alternative educational provision until February 2019.
Instead, he received just one hour a week of intervention and play therapy.
An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found that in response to the boy’s mother’s complaints the council twice confirmed there was no appropriate alternative education locally.
They also failed to issue a new Education, Health and Care plan for the boy or write to his mother refusing to do so. This meant the mother was denied the right to challenge the council through the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Tribunal.
The council has apologised and will pay the mother £4,200 to use for her son’s benefit and issue an up-to-date EHC plan for the boy.
