Councils are failing to provide adequate alternative education for the growing number of children in England unable to attend school due to social anxiety, according to a report by the local ombudsman.
Many have complex special educational needs and cannot go to school because there are no suitable places in their area, meaning they can spend months and even years without any suitable alternative provision, the report said.
In one case, an autistic boy with extreme anxiety who was unable to attend his mainstream school was given just five hours a week of online tutoring in English and maths for a year, without proper consideration of how he could study for the rest of his GSCE subjects .
In another example, a teenager was without a school place – or suitable alternative education – for almost 14 months after moving to an area mid-term, at a time when she was also preparing for GCSEs.
Parents have a duty to ensure that their children receive an appropriate regular education. However, under the Act, where children do not attend school due to illness, exclusion or otherwise, councils are required to assess and make arrangements to provide suitable alternative education where necessary.
The local government and social care ombudsman, Michael King, has warned that children are being robbed of their potential to thrive because councils are failing to fulfill their responsibilities properly. Last year, the ombudsman upheld 89% of complaints investigations on this matter.
“We know that setting up alternative education as soon as possible is crucial to ensure that children don’t fall behind their peers, but we see examples of councils trying to shift the onus by saying it’s a responsibility of the school,” King said.
“Parents need to know that this is not right. Councils have a legal duty to give due consideration to what alternative education is provided when a child is unable to attend school, and it must be appropriate for the child – not a token gesture of the minimum number of hours.’
In a separate case highlighted by the ombudsman, a mother lodged a complaint against Dorset council after her son, who has special educational needs, missed almost two years of schooling.
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The boy, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autistic traits, is unable to attend school due to high levels of stress and anxiety. The ombudsman found that the council had failed to provide him with adequate alternative education and social support between February 2020 and November 2021. The family was awarded £8,800 in compensation.
“I am pleased that Dorset Council has readily agreed with the recommendations I have made to put things right in this case,” King said. “I hope that the changes he will make to the way he monitors out-of-school children and the services he provides for them will ensure that other children are not disadvantaged like this child.”
Cllr Andrew Parry, portfolio holder for children, education, skills and early care at Dorset Council, apologized for the council’s failings. “We have taken these issues seriously and have made a number of changes to our services so that other families do not have to go through the same experience.”
A spokesman for the Local Government Association, which represents more than 300 English local authorities, said: “Councils are committed to working with parents and carers to ensure that their children attend a school where they receive the best possible support and education. and do everything they can to achieve this within the budgets provided by the government.’
A Department for Education spokesman said: “Local authorities are responsible for providing enough school places for all children in their area and we have increased high needs funding for them to a total of £9.1bn next year to help them meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities. We encourage them to work in collaboration with parents and local partners so that the right range of services is available to all children.”
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