A North London council has been ordered to pay nearly £10,000 in compensation after a damning investigation found it failed to provide a disabled and autistic teenager with essential educational support for more than four school terms.
Ombudsman Investigation Uncovers Systemic Failures
An investigation by the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) concluded that Brent Council did not deliver the support specified in a pupil's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) between September 2023 and December 2024.
The report, which refers to the teenager as 'Y', found he missed out on crucial provisions including speech and language therapy (SALT) and occupational therapy (OT). Y is non-verbal, autistic, and has significant motor and sensory difficulties, requiring ongoing care.
Detrimental Impact on Development and Family Life
The LGO report states that Y's brother, referred to as Mr X, complained the council "failed to provide appropriate education" as outlined in the 2022 EHCP and neglected to carry out mandatory annual reviews.
Mr X argued that being "deprived of essential therapies and support critical for his development" led to a regression in Y's communication skills and increased frustration. The situation placed severe strain on the family.
Mr X had to move back in with his mother to help care for his brother, stating that without this intervention, Y would have faced being placed in a care home. The Ombudsman noted the family endured "avoidable distress and trouble" while trying to resolve the council's failings.
Council Apologises and Implements Changes
Brent Council has apologised unreservedly and accepted the findings. A council spokesperson stated: "We recognise that we did not consistently provide the special educational provision, therapies and timely reviews set out in Y's Education, Health and Care Plan, and that this resulted in loss of education and distress for the family."
The Ombudsman's guidance suggests payments of £900 to £2,400 per term for lost education. This case was placed "at the highest end of the tariff" at £9,600, acknowledging both the lost provision and the considerable pressure on Y's family. The compensation is to be used for Y's benefit.
The council confirmed it has already taken corrective steps, including improving processes, strengthening annual review management, and enhancing collaboration with Adult Services to prevent a repeat of the failure.
