Cheshire West & Chester Council (19 017 105)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 04-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss Q’s complaint about the Council’s alleged delay in naming School B in her son’s Education, Health and Care Plan. Nor will we investigate the Council’s alleged failure to ensure Miss Q’s son received an education between January and September 2019. This is because Miss Q appealed to SEND, so much of the complaint is outside our jurisdiction.

East Sussex County Council (19 010 973)

Statement Not upheld School transport 02-Mar-2020

Summary: Mrs M complains the Council refused her request for transport for her son, B. Mrs M did not provide financial information the Council needed. I have discontinued my investigation so Mrs M can decide whether to make a fresh application and provide the financial information the Council requires.

Central Foundation Boys' School, Islington (19 012 141)

Statement Not upheld School admissions 02-Mar-2020

Summary: Ms M complains following her unsuccessful appeal for a place for her son, B, at Central Foundation Boys’ School. There was no fault in the appeal which calls the decision into question.

Surrey County Council (19 003 931)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 02-Mar-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains about the EHCP process and the time taken to secure a school place for her daughter, Y. There was no delay in completing the EHC plan process, but the Council’s failure to provide suitable alternative education between February and July 2019 amounts to fault. This fault has caused Mrs x and Y an injustice.

East Sussex County Council (19 006 357)

Statement Not upheld School admissions 02-Mar-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains about the Council’s handling of changes to its school admissions policy and its decision on her school admission appeal, denying her the right to a fair hearing. The Ombudsman finds no fault causing injustice.

Gloucestershire County Council (19 009 500)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 02-Mar-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains about the Council’s actions following her daughter’s EHC plan annual review meeting. She says the Council delayed in amending the plan and in issuing the final EHC plan. She also says the Council did not provide any special education provisions between July 2019 and October 2019. The Ombudsman finds some fault with the Council’s actions. We have recommended the Council make a financial payment.

Birmingham City Council (19 018 730)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 29-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that the Council was at fault in refusing his application and appeal for a school place for his son. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault on the Council’s part.

Oxfordshire County Council (19 016 987)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 29-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mrs B’s complaint that the Council has refused to reimburse costs she incurred due to its failure to provide her child with education. This is because Mrs B has used her right to appeal to a tribunal.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (19 016 799)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Special educational needs 29-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about the process leading to the production of an Education Health and Care Plan for his son. This is because one key aspect of the complaint is late, and the other concerns matters which fall outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

Leeds City Council (19 018 610)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 28-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the panel and so we cannot question the merits of its decision.