Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful blue badge application for a child. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Ms X, disagrees with Council’s decision that her son is ineligible for a blue badge.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
3. We consider whether there was fault in the way an organisation made its decision. If there was no fault in how the organisation made its decision, we cannot question the outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by Ms X and the Council. This includes the application, assessment and supporting evidence. I also considered our Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. People may qualify for a badge if they are unable to walk, experience considerable difficulty when walking or are at serious risk of harm when walking. People with a non-physical disability (sometimes called a hidden disability) might qualify if they experience significant psychological distress when walking or are at risk of harm. The blue badge guidance says councils should note that, depending on their age, children will require a degree of supervision to keep them safe.
6. In 2025 Ms X applied for a badge for her son under the hidden disability rules. He was under five years old when she made the application. Ms X submitted supporting evidence; some of the evidence was from 2023.
7. The Council assessed the application in relation to the hidden disability rules and decided the evidence does not show Ms X’s son is eligible for a badge. Ms X disagrees with the decision.
8. I will not investigate this complaint because it is unlikely I would find fault. We do not act as an appeal body and I can only consider if there is fault in the way the Council makes a decision. I have no power to award a badge and it is not my role to re-assess the claim or decide if Ms X’s child is eligible for a badge.
9. Ms X disagrees with the Council’s decision and has explained how having a badge would help her and her son. However, we can only intervene if there is fault in the way the Council made the decision and I have not seen any suggestion of fault. The Council considered all the evidence, including Ms X’s reports and the age of her son, and cross-referenced it to the blue badge rules. The decision flows from the evidence, rules and guidance. As there is no suggestion of fault there is no reason to start an investigation.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman