East Sussex County Council (19 008 062)

Statement Not upheld School transport 17-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s refusal to award transport assistance to his over 16-year old son, Y. He said having to take Y to school because of this decision caused him and his wife serious difficulties. There is no fault in how the Council made its decision. It considered its policy and evidence provided by Mr X about the specific circumstances of the situation and explained its decision to them.

Northamptonshire County Council (19 014 752)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 14-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse home to school transport. It is unlikely we would find fault in the Council’s decision which caused him to lose out on transport.

East Sussex County Council (19 009 275)

Statement Not upheld School transport 13-Feb-2020

Summary: there is no fault in the Council’s original decision not to provide transport for Ms M’s son, B, to college. The Ombudsman cannot question decisions taken without fault. However, it appears Ms M’s circumstances have changed since her original application, so she could consider making a fresh application.

Warrington Council (19 011 361)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 13-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to provide his son with free transport to college. The Council has allowed parents of non-eligible post 16 special educational needs students to purchase empty seats available on existing transport. Mr X has purchased a seat on a vehicle and is satisfied with this.

Buckinghamshire County Council (19 005 666)

Statement Upheld School transport 11-Feb-2020

Summary: although the Council acknowledged it was at fault in April 2019 for failing to provide school transport for Mrs M’s daughter, G, and promised to take action, the Council did not put matters right. Mrs M has suffered further injustice. I have recommended a remedy.

Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (19 006 625)

Statement Upheld School transport 11-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council failed to provide school travel assistance for her son between 2017 and 2019 and will not reimburse the costs she incurred when taking her son to school in that period. There was fault by the Council because it did not properly assess Mrs X’s application for travel assistance when she approached the Council in 2019. The Council agreed to make a time and trouble payment to Mrs X to reflect the injustice she suffered in pursuing an unnecessary appeal.

Suffolk County Council (19 009 509)

Statement Not upheld School transport 11-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman has not found evidence of fault in the Council’s decision making or handling of Ms X’s school transport appeal.

Derbyshire County Council (19 009 590)

Statement Upheld School transport 11-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr B complains that the Council has not dealt with his school transport appeal properly, following an earlier complaint to the Ombudsman. The Council did not follow its policy or the Statutory Guidance because it did not measure a safe walking route. The Council has agreed to measure the distance along the actual route it says Mr B’s daughter should walk to school and review its policy. If the distance is over three miles the Council should provide Mr B’s daughter with transport and re-imburse him for his daughter’s travel costs since his initial application.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (19 008 787)

Statement Not upheld School transport 10-Feb-2020

Summary: there is no fault in the Council’s decision to refuse Mr F’s request for a bus pass for his son, B, or his subsequent appeal. The Ombudsman cannot question decisions made without fault.

Kent County Council (19 009 864)

Statement Not upheld School transport 10-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs M complains the Council refused her request for school transport for her son, B. B’s EHC Plan says Mrs M will provide his transport. Mrs M had a right of appeal to the Tribunal if she disagreed. Further investigation by the Ombudsman would not lead to a different outcome: the Ombudsman has neither the authority nor the expertise to decide the matter.