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.

Somerset County Council (19 007 130)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 17-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council failed to provide suitable education to her son and delayed issuing a final Education Health and Care Plan, resulting in missed education and stress to Y and his family. The Ombudsman finds the Council at fault. He recommends the Council provides an apology, pays £3200 in total for missed education, distress and uncertainty, time and trouble. And, takes action to prevent recurrence.

Coventry City Council (19 018 138)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 15-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss B’s complaint about the decision to refuse her appeal for a school place for her daughter. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault on the Council’s part.

Norfolk County Council (19 015 452)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 15-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that the Council failed to involve him in decisions about his son’s education. The complaint is late and there are insufficient grounds for the Ombudsman to investigate it now.

London Borough of Bexley (19 018 411)

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

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s 11+ test review process. This is because the complainant has a right of appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel if his daughter is refused a place at the grammar school that he wants her to attend, and it is reasonable to expect him to use it.

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.

Liverpool City Council (19 006 348)

Statement Upheld School admissions 12-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs B, complains the Council did not deal correctly with her on-time application for a reception class place for her child, or with her appeal for a place at a school for which she made a late application. The Ombudsman finds no fault in the way the appeal was dealt with, but some fault in how the on-time application was dealt with. However, that fault did not lead to injustice for Mrs B.

Leeds City Council (19 017 831)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 12-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about an Independent Appeal Panel (IAP)’s decision not to uphold the complainant’s appeal regarding a place for his daughter at his preferred secondary school, and the Council’s decision not to hold a new appeal hearing. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault by either the IAP or the Council in the way they made their decisions.