Wakefield Council ordered to apologise after autistic student misses over year of schooling due to delays in care and poor record keeping

A GCSE pupil missed a year of schooling after education chiefs failed to provide him with appropriate care after he was diagnosed with autism.
By Tony Gardner, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Published 26th Jul 2022, 16:47 GMT
Updated 26th Jul 2022, 17:40 GMT
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Wakefield Council has been ordered to pay compensation and to apologise for delays in taking action to help Theo Waddington.

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An Ombudsman criticised the local authority for failing to arrange an appropriate education, health and care plan (EHCP).

The Education Act says councils must make suitable full-time provision for children of school age who are absent because of illness, exclusion or otherwise.The Education Act says councils must make suitable full-time provision for children of school age who are absent because of illness, exclusion or otherwise.
The Education Act says councils must make suitable full-time provision for children of school age who are absent because of illness, exclusion or otherwise.
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A report also states that the Council was at fault for poor record keeping which led to the teenager suffering further distress.

Theo’s mum, Heidi Mavir, complained to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman over her son’s treatment while he was a pupil at Outwood Grange Academy.

Ms Mavir said: “I wouldn’t wish what we had to go through on anyone.

“At the time I was really angry with the local authority but I think they are also working within the confines of being overstretched and underfunded.

Theo, now aged 17, was identified as autistic when he was 14.Theo, now aged 17, was identified as autistic when he was 14.
Theo, now aged 17, was identified as autistic when he was 14.
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“I went to the Ombudsman as I thought it was the only way to get accountability.”

Theo, now 17, was identified as autistic when he was 14 and later diagnosed as also having ADHD.

Theo was 15 when he was unable to attend school as he struggled with anxiety in his GCSE year.

Ms Mavir reported Theo’s absence from education in February 2020 and asked for him to be assessed for an EHCP, requesting alternative provision.

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