Aberdeenshire Council has been criticised for ignoring a letter from a pupil outlining safety concerns – and a request to move classes.
The family complained to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman after the authority failed to respond the letter, which was prompted by a “worrying” playground incident.
The youngster wrote to the council asking to be moved to a different class, and outlined concerns about needing to feel safe in returning to school.
A report by the SPSO found the letter had gone unacknowledged, which “would have heightened the family’s anxiety” and ruled there was a “clear failure” to involve the child in the decision-making process.
The report says: “Contrary to GIRFEC principles (Getting it Right for Every Child – the nationwide policy which puts the child at the centre of decision-making and ensures their views are heard), there was a clear failure to involve the child, or take account of their clearly stated views about what had happened to them.”
The report notes that SPSO officers took independent advice from a social worker in relation to the council’s handling of matters, who advised a single point of contact should have been appointed for Mrs C and her family to ensure “clearer communication and management of expectations”.
The SPSO ordered the authority to apologise.
