£14k payout after child misses two years of school

The ombudsman said it was "clear" that the child was not receiving any education

A family is to receive £14,700 from a council after a girl missed two years of schooling.

The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) found North Northamptonshire Council failed to give the student a personal assistant to help her learning.

It meant she was not able to attend a special school and the LGO said it was "clear" that the child - referred to as Miss K - was not receiving any education.

North Northamptonshire Council has apologised for the delay in provision.

In the summer of 2021 the pupil was starting Year 12 and was entitled to a personal assistant under her education health and care plan, according to the ombudsman.

This was supposed to give the teenager daily lessons in independent living skills, such as getting up on time and personal hygiene, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The council did not begin to look for a personal assistant for the girl until May 2023, after a series of complaints from her parents.

An assistant began working with the student in September 2023, two years after the provision was first required.

'Distress and frustration'

The council apologised for "significant delays" and reviewed its service as a result of the parents' complaints.

The LGO wrote that the delay was partly caused by confusion about whether the personal assistant would be funded by its social care or education team.

It said the council "failed to have due regard to Miss K's right to an education" and did not consider if it was the lack of provision that was causing her absence over the years.

The report added the delay "caused all members of the family distress and frustration".

The council was ordered to pay a total of £14,700 to the family and apologise directly to the parents and the pupil.

North Northamptonshire Council has been contacted for comment.