A mother in Birmingham has received financial compensation after the city council failed to provide appropriate education for her son for more than a year following his permanent exclusion from school.
The boy, who has significant learning difficulties, was expelled in January 2024. Despite his needs, he remained out of education for over a year until Birmingham City Council finally arranged suitable schooling, an ombudsman report revealed.
The boy’s mother, identified as ‘Ms X’ in the report, expressed that the prolonged lack of education severely affected her son’s mental health and behavior. Although home tuition was offered, it did not meet his specific learning requirements.
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Ms X criticized the council for causing her “uncertainty” and “frustration” due to their failure to provide appropriate education promptly and for mishandling her subsequent complaints.
The council has been ordered to pay a total of £450 to Ms X: £250 for delays in recognizing the inadequacy of home tuition and exploring other educational options, and £200 for their poor handling of her complaint.
The ombudsman noted that the council’s delays—from arranging tuition to assessing its effectiveness and exploring alternatives—directly contributed to the boy’s extended absence from appropriate education. Additionally, the council’s late response to the mother’s complaint denied her the chance for a thorough review, exacerbating her distress.
This case highlights the critical need for timely and suitable educational provision for children with special needs, particularly when exclusions occur.