Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint that the complainant was not allowed to attend an adult education course. This is because we have no jurisdiction to investigate what happens in education establishments.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains that he was not allowed to study an adult education course provided by the Council. Mr X would like the Council to ensure that he is allowed to attend the next course.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate most complaints about what happens in schools or other education establishments. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, paragraph 5(2), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. The Council runs adult learning courses in a learning centre based in one of its libraries. Mr X applied for a course and attended an assessment where tutors at the learning centre considered his suitability for the course. Mr X was not accepted onto the course.
7. I cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint. This is because it is about something that has happened in an education establishment and is therefore out of our jurisdiction as per the legislation detailed in paragraph 3.

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Final decision

8. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because it concerns what has happened in an education establishment.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman