Leicester City Council (19 014 258)

Statement Not upheld Alternative provision 08-Sep-2020

Summary: Ms Y complains about the approach taken by the Council when making enquiries about the elective home education which she provides to her two daughters. The Ombudsman finds no evidence of procedural fault. The Council was entitled to make enquiries of Ms Y following a referral it received about the suitability of the education. The Council therefore had a duty in law to establish whether the education Ms Y provides is suitable.

London Borough of Newham (19 016 120)

Statement Not upheld Alternative provision 28-Aug-2020

Summary: Mrs B complained to us that her son was out of school and the Council had failed to provide alternative provision. The Council has subsequently identified a school placement which Mrs B considers meets his needs. Consequently, she has withdrawn her complaint and we have discontinued investigation in accord with her wishes.

Worcestershire County Council (19 010 215)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 24-Aug-2020

Summary: Mrs C complained the Council failed to provide her son with alternative education when he was unwell and unable to attend school. She also complained the Council delayed issuing her son with an Education, Health and Care plan. The Ombudsman finds the Council was at fault because it failed to provide Mrs C’s son with alternative education when he was out of school. The Council has agreed to our recommendations to address the injustice caused to Mrs C and her son.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (20 001 253)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Alternative provision 17-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council raised its concerns over the education he provides for his children. This is because the injustice claimed is not significant enough to warrant an investigation.

Devon County Council (19 008 360)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 17-Aug-2020

Summary: There was fault by the Council in failing to ensure a child received suitable full-time education when she was medically unfit to attend school. Recommendations for an apology, financial payment and service improvements are made.

Hampshire County Council (19 000 063)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 10-Aug-2020

Summary: Mrs X says the Council failed to arrange alternative education for her son when he was absent from school for medical reasons in the autumn of 2018 and between April and September 2019. There was fault by the Council because it did not properly consider its duties to provide alternative education. The Council agreed to address the injustice to Mrs X and her son through a financial remedy.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (19 010 427)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 05-Aug-2020

Summary: There was fault by the Council in failing to provide alternative education when it became aware a pupil was receiving less than full-time education. This resulted in loss of education for six months and placed additional stress on the family. Recommendations for an apology, a financial payment and service improvements are made.

Essex County Council (19 004 786)

Statement Not upheld Alternative provision 11-Jun-2020

Summary: Ms X complains about the way the Council dealt with a request to provide her child with alternative educational provision. The Ombudsman has found no evidence of fault in the way the Council considered these matters and so has completed his investigation.

Trafford Council (19 019 869)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Alternative provision 15-Apr-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about a school’s actions or the advice and support the Council gave the school.