Manchester City Council (21 006 297)

Statement Upheld School transport 10-Feb-2022

Summary: Mrs E complained about how the Council handled her application for home to school transport for her son. We find fault with the way the Council considered Mrs E’s application and appeal. The Council has agreed to our recommendations to address the injustice caused by fault.

Buckinghamshire Council (21 001 964)

Statement Upheld School transport 09-Feb-2022

Summary: Mrs B complained that the Council failed to give adequate notice of changes to its post-16 transport policy so she had to pay for her son’s transport to college during the 2019/20 academic year. She also complains that, in the following academic year, the Council failed to arrange transport for her son until January 2021. The Ombudsman found the Council properly notified parents of changes to its transport policy. However, it was at fault in failing to provide transport between September and December 2020 and in failing to keep Mrs B informed. The Council has agreed to make a payment to Mrs B’s son in recognition of his lost education provision and social contact.

Kent County Council (21 015 111)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 09-Feb-2022

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to provide his daughter with free transport to school. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Leeds City Council (21 001 942)

Statement Not upheld School transport 31-Jan-2022

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council did not provide sufficient information or guidance in relation to the transport assistance available and has wrongly refused to fully backdate her children’s entitlement to transport to school. There is no evidence of fault in the way the Council provided information on the availability of transport assistance or in the way it considered Mrs X’s application for transport assistance.

Suffolk County Council (21 005 225)

Statement Not upheld School transport 31-Jan-2022

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to properly consider his appeal for home to school transport for his two children. There was no fault in the way the Council applied its policy or considered the appeal.

Wokingham Borough Council (21 013 386)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 26-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse the complainant’s application for school transport assistance because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

Surrey County Council (21 014 312)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 25-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the application of the Council’s school transport policy. This is because there is no evidence of fault on the Council’s part.

Durham County Council (21 002 942)

Statement Upheld School transport 25-Jan-2022

Summary: Mrs C complained the Council wrongly refused her daughter free school transport when she moved to a new school. The Council has since agreed to provide Mrs C’s daughter with free school transport. However, we found the Council at fault for failing to provide a school transport appeal process for Mrs C as set out in the Government’s statutory guidance. The Council agreed to apologise to Mrs C for the uncertainty this caused and review its school transport policy.

Suffolk County Council (21 007 181)

Statement Upheld School transport 24-Jan-2022

Summary: the Council refused Mr and Mrs P’s request for school transport for their daughter, G, because there is a safe walking route. Mr and Mrs P have not had an opportunity to challenge the Council’s decision the route is safe. The Council has agreed share the safety assessment with Mr and Mrs P and invite them to make a fresh appeal.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (21 007 594)

Statement Not upheld School transport 24-Jan-2022

Summary: there is no fault in the Council’s decision not to provide taxis to take Ms M’s daughter, G, to school. The Ombudsman cannot question decisions taken without fault.