Brighton & Hove City Council (19 001 537)

Statement Not upheld School transport 11-Sep-2019

Summary: Ms B complains about the actions of a bus driver who provides home to school transport for her disabled son. The Ombudsman discontinued his investigation as no worthwhile outcome could be achieved.

Oxfordshire County Council (19 003 705)

Statement Upheld School transport 11-Sep-2019

Summary: Mrs F complains the Council failed to offer free home to school transport for her son, G, who was attending the school named on his Education, Health and Care Plan. The Council accepted fault and will reimburse Mrs F for the travel she has already paid for and put free travel in place for the future.

Southend-on-Sea City Council (19 000 592)

Statement Not upheld School transport 10-Sep-2019

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to clearly communicate its decision not to award his son his preferred choice of home to school transport provider. The Ombudsman finds the Council was not at fault.

Lancashire County Council (18 015 779)

Statement Upheld School transport 06-Sep-2019

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council offered unsuitable home to school transport for her disabled son. There was no fault in the way the Council reached its view the offer of transport was suitable. There was fault as it delayed reaching this decision and delayed sending her the appeal forms. This caused Mrs X avoidable time and trouble and frustration. The Council has agreed to apologise to her and pay her £100 for the time and trouble caused by the delays in the transport appeal

Suffolk County Council (18 018 930)

Statement Upheld School transport 05-Sep-2019

Summary: the Council did not take action to ensure that transport provided to Mr F’s disabled child in June and July 2018 met his identified special needs. This amounts to fault. The Council will take action to recognise the avoidable distress this caused to Mr F and his son by making a payment of £800.

London Borough of Southwark (18 016 991)

Statement Upheld School transport 04-Sep-2019

Summary: Ms X complained the Council delayed reviewing the suitability of the school transport it provided for her child who has special educational needs. The Ombudsman finds the Council at fault for not addressing soon enough the full extent of the reported problems with the school transport. The fault led to avoidable uncertainty, distress and expense for Ms X and both of her children. The Council has made a further offer to reimburse Ms X for expenses she incurred taking her child to school. The Council has also agreed to pay Ms X £300 to acknowledge the uncertainty and distress caused by the Council’s fault.

Cambridgeshire County Council (19 005 031)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 30-Aug-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to provide her son with free transport to school. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant an investigation by the Ombudsman.

Warrington Council (19 005 537)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 27-Aug-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms A’s complaint that the Council is at fault in refusing to provide school transport for her son. It would be appropriate for Ms A to use her right to appeal.

Telford & Wrekin Council (18 019 018)

Statement Not upheld School transport 23-Aug-2019

Summary: Mrs X complains about the Council’s decision to withdraw its discretionary scheme funding school transport for pupils attending local grammar schools. The Ombudsman found no evidence of fault in the Council’s decision-making process. It phased in the changes and made sure parents were aware in good time before the school admissions application deadline.

Staffordshire County Council (18 016 265)

Statement Upheld School transport 22-Aug-2019

Summary: Ms X has complained about the Council’s decision to refuse her request for transport assistance to and from sixth form for her daughter. There is evidence of fault by the Council.