London Borough of Barnet failed to provide adequate education for a girl who was out of school, and delayed in responding to a request to assess her special educational needs.

London Borough of Barnet failed to provide adequate education for a girl who was out of school, and delayed in responding to a request to assess her special educational needs, finds Local Government Ombudsman, Tony Redmond. In his report, issued today (27 April 2010) he says: “…it is clear that the education provided for [the complainant’s daughter] between her exclusion … and her return to full-time schooling … was well below the requirements of the statutory guidance,” and recommends the Council to pay a total of £2,500 compensation.

‘Ms Perry’ (not her real name for legal reasons) complained that the Council did not provide full-time schooling for her daughter, ‘Jeri’, after she was excluded from school, and that it failed to consider properly whether there should be an assessment of Jeri’s special educational needs.

The Ombudsman finds that the Council:

• failed to provide suitable educational provision for nearly seven months; and
• delayed unreasonably for five weeks in responding to a request for a statutory assessment of Jeri’s special educational needs.

He recommends the Council to pay:

• £1,750 compensation for Jeri’s lost education during the period of her exclusion.
• £500 for the distress caused to Ms Perry during this time; and
• £250 for Ms Perry’s time and trouble in pursuing this complaint.
   

Report ref no 07A14912

Article date: 27 April 2010