Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (23 008 896)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 04-Apr-2024

Summary: We found fault with the Council for its failure to secure alternative provision for the complainant’s (Miss X) son (Y) for a few weeks after his permanent exclusion. This caused him and Miss X injustice. We also found fault with the Council’s delay in amending Y’s Education Health and Care Plan before his move to a secondary placement but the Council’s fault did not cause significant injustice to Y and Miss X. We did not find fault with the Council’s delay in reviewing Y’s Education Health and Care Plan and the way it carried out the Personal Budget process for Y. The Council agreed to apologise and make a payment for the injustice caused to Y and Miss X by missed educational provision.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (22 015 347)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 12-May-2024

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to provide a suitable education or follow proper process to review her son’s Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan after they moved to the Council’s area in late 2021. The Council’s failure to follow proper process and the delay in reviewing and amending Y’s EHC plan is fault. As is the failure to provide alternative provision between September and November 2022. This fault has caused Mrs X and Y an injustice.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (24 003 157)

Statement Upheld Residential care 22-Jul-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about failures in communication for an adult’s social care and funding. The Council has completed a thorough investigation and reached sound conclusions. It is unlikely the Ombudsman could add to that or reach a different outcome. The Council has apologised to the complainant for confusion and distress caused by its failures in communication, and spoken with relevant staff to prevent future problems.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (23 020 235)

Statement Upheld Refuse and recycling 11-Sep-2024

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council had destroyed her bin whilst she was staying at her parent’s address. We find the Council was at fault for failing to notify Mrs X before destroying the bin. This caused distress to Mrs X and her parents are without a bin. To address this injustice caused by fault we recommend the Council apologise, arrange for Mrs X’s parents to have a free bin and review its processes.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (24 010 347)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 04-Dec-2024

Summary: We have upheld this complaint because the Council delayed considering a request for a reassessment of a child’s Special Educational Needs. The Council has agreed to resolve the complaint by offering to make a suitable payment to the complainant to remedy the injustice this caused.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (23 013 447)

Statement Upheld Residential care 09-Dec-2024

Summary: Ms X complains the Council failed to provide safe and suitable care for her grandfather Mr Y while he was in a care home causing distress. We have found fault by the Council because it failed to provide clarity to its safeguarding enquiry conclusions in Mr Y’s case. We have recommended a suitable remedy for the injustice caused in this case so have completed our investigation.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (24 006 640)

Statement Upheld Alternative provision 17-Feb-2025

Summary: the Council accepted it failed to provide Ms M’s son, B, with suitable education from February 2023 until he started at a special school in February 2024. The Council also took too long to issue B’s education, health and care (EHC) plan. The Council has agreed to make a symbolic payment for the injustice caused.