London Borough of Barnet (07A14912)
School exclusions and special educational needs
Maladministration causing injustice
19 April 2010
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. The Ombudsman said: “…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 recommended 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 found 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.
Remedy
In accordance with the Ombudsman's recommendations, the Council paid:
- £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.
LGO satisfied with Council's response: 9 September 2010
Date Updated: 10/09/10