A young girl in West Northamptonshire missed six months of full-time education due to mental health challenges, prompting her mother to seek assistance from the West Northamptonshire Council in April 2023. The council's response involved advising the girl's primary school to increase her attendance gradually and initiating a tuition package. Despite these efforts, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman identified significant shortcomings in the council’s actions.
The girl began attending a special school in September 2023. However, the Ombudsman's investigation found that more could have been done by the council to support her educational needs earlier. As a result, the council has been ordered to pay £6,700 to the family and issue a formal letter of apology.
The council's initial recommendation to the school, suggesting a gradual increase in the girl's contact hours, was not criticized. However, significant delays in processing an education health and care plan (EHCP) assessment became a point of contention. The girl’s mother reported that the plan, requested from the council, was issued nine months late. This delay resulted in the girl missing two and a half school terms without receiving the necessary educational provisions outlined in her EHCP.
"We apologise to the family affected and remain committed to making the necessary improvements and working collaboratively with parents and families to address their concerns." – A council spokesperson
The council acknowledged the Ombudsman’s findings and expressed their commitment to improving their processes. While they have accepted responsibility for certain failures, they also maintain that their initial strategy was aimed at supporting the girl's return to education.
