Staffordshire County Council (21 007 984)

Statement Not upheld School transport 15-Dec-2021

Summary: there was no fault by Staffordshire County Council in relation to its consideration of Ms B’s appeal against the decision to refuse home to school transport for her children

West Sussex County Council (21 010 786)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 15-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council applied its transport policy, and its decision not to amend it. This is because there is no evidence of fault to warrant an investigation.

Shropshire Council (21 011 827)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 14-Dec-2021

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 on the Council’s part.

Northumberland County Council (21 005 559)

Statement Not upheld School transport 13-Dec-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council refused to provide school transport for her child after it made changes to the schools near where she lives. We stopped investigating Mrs X’s complaint. During our investigation, the Council agreed to provide transport for Mrs X’s child and for similarly affected children. If the Council reviews this decision in future, parents affected by any changes will have the right to appeal. No further action by the Ombudsman is needed.

Northumberland County Council (21 007 709)

Statement Not upheld School transport 13-Dec-2021

Summary: Mrs Y complained the Council refused to provide school transport for her child after it made changes to the schools near where she lives. We stopped investigating Mrs Y’s complaint. During our investigation, the Council agreed to provide transport for Mrs Y’s child and for similarly affected children. If the Council reviews this decision in future, parents affected by any changes will have the right to appeal. No further action by the Ombudsman is needed.

Hertfordshire County Council (21 002 457)

Statement Upheld School transport 10-Dec-2021

Summary: Fault by the Council put Miss X’s disabled child at risk of harm on home to school transport. The Council has agreed to apologise, pay £1,500, and take action to improve its service.

East Sussex County Council (20 008 003)

Statement Upheld School transport 09-Dec-2021

Summary: Miss Y complains about the Council’s decision not to provide taxi transport for her son, Mr Y, to attend college. We find the Council’s decision making was flawed because there is no evidence to show the appeal panel considered all relevant factors in Mr Y’s case. The Council should retake its decision, apologise and pay £200 in recognition of the avoidable time and trouble caused by fault.

Lincolnshire County Council (21 008 990)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 08-Dec-2021

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council’s policy of school transport for selective schools is unfair and inequitable. We will not investigate this complaint as we are unlikely to find fault.

Surrey County Council (21 011 557)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 03-Dec-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about home to school transport for the complainant’s son. This is because it would be reasonable for the complainant to complete the Council’s school transport appeal process.

Westminster City Council (20 013 578)

Statement Upheld School transport 30-Nov-2021

Summary: Miss Y complains about an Independent Appeal Panel’s refusal to provide help with home to school transport for her son, M. The Ombudsman has decided, on balance, there was no fault in the Panel’s decision-making. However, the Ombudsman has found fault in the way the Council considered a subsequent application by Miss Y for assistance with school transport. This caused Miss Y uncertainty and she missed out on having her application fully considered by the Council. To remedy the injustice caused, the Council has agreed to apologise to Miss Y, make her a payment and make several service improvements.