Walsall Council ordered to pay mum £2.4k over child’s missed education
A Walsall mum has been awarded a £2,400 payout after the council failed to provide special education provision for her child.
The mum, referred to as ‘Ms Y’ complained to the Social Care Ombudsman that the council failed provide education as outlined in the student’s Education, Health and Care Plan.
In 2023, it was decided that the needs of the student, referred to as ‘Child Z’, could not be accommodated in any school setting and Z was issued an EOTAS package (Education Other Than At School).
The package included academic tuition, speech and occupational therapy, PE, mentoring and provision of a computer and stationary.
Walsall Council agreed to issue free school meal vouchers and fund a laptop of up to £500 for the family to loan.
But the Ombudsman found that the council failed to provide speech and occupational therapy, the laptop, a few weeks of academic tuition in January 2024 and PE lessons.
It also found that free school meal funding was delayed and the mum was put to unnecessary ‘time and trouble’ raising complaints to have her child’s provision secured.
The Ombudsman said it was ‘pleased to note’ that the council had already taken steps to remedy the injustice.
It ordered the council to pay the family £2,400 to acknowledge the missed special education provision from January to November 2025, supply the laptop, organise PE sessions, and check that speech and occupational therapy has started.
A spokesperson for Walsall Council said: “The council is committed to providing our children and young people with the best possible education that meets their needs.
“The council will always try and resolve complaints prior to a customer contacting the Ombudsman. In these instances, we accepted the findings of the report and have agreed to the recommended actions set out in the final decision.”
