Sheffield council's 'catalogue of errors' led to boy missing years of school

The 15-year-old boy who has asperger syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and pathological demand avoidance was given an unregistered provider who “did not provide proper formal schooling”, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) reported.

He left his first secondary school in 2015 and the Ombudsman said he did not complete a full week of education until March this year. The findings showed he missed more than 43 months of provision.

According to the report, his mother said not only had it “severely” affected his education but he self-harmed and attempted suicide and she has been unable to work.

Michael King, of the LGSCO, said: “We commonly hear from parents that they are left to battle through bureaucracy, just to get the support they are entitled to.

“While this case is an extreme example, it serves as a stark reminder of what can happen when councils get things wrong and the devastating effect this has on children’s education and wellbeing and their families who are left to pick up the strain.

“Along with the remedy the council has agreed for this boy and his family, I am pleased it has agreed to undertake a full audit of its alternative education provision, as I am not convinced the action it has already taken has fully resolved the significant issues highlighted by this case.”

Review meeting notes show the boy’s learning involved working towards a level one National Open College Network qualification, some “basic science”, working at a pet shop and visiting car showrooms.

His mother also raised concerns about safeguarding arrangements when the boy was outside and at the home of one provider. After asking for a more stable base, the council provided funding to use an old chip shop.

The Ombudsman said there could be others in a similar situation.

“The council cannot be sure similar problems do not exist which affect other children and young people receiving alternative education. The council may be providing alternative educational provision that was commissioned outside proper procedures, or without proper management/oversight, or without a contract.”

Councillor Abtisam Mohamed, cabinet member for education and skills at the council, said: “We fully accept the findings and take full responsibility for what happened.

“This situation is unacceptable and we are very sorry that [they] were ever put in this situation where he did not receive the right education provision and it took so long for him to be placed in the right school, in order to meet his needs.

“Over the past couple of years we have worked hard to make sure this will not happen again, and all children in Sheffield receive the support they need. Our aim is that all the SEND services we provide, meet the needs of our children.

“Every child deserves an education that meets their needs, and we are working hard to make sure that this is a reality across the city.”