Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about delay by the Council making alternative arrangements for her daughter’s education because there is nothing we could add to the Council’s response.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains about delay by the Council making alternative arrangements for her daughter’s education.

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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 or continue an investigation if we decide we could not add to any previous investigation by the Council. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. I have carefully considered everything Ms X said, although I have not included every detail here. I have included as few details as possible to protect the anonymity of Ms X and her daughter.
6. Ms X says her daughter has struggled to attend school since July 2025.
7. She asked the Council to make alternative arrangements in March 2026.
8. The Council arranged alternative provision from late April 2026.
9. Ms X complained to the Council about the delay. The Council upheld her complaint, apologised and offered a symbolic payment to acknowledge the disruption to her daughter’s education.
10. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because we could not add to the Council’s response.

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Final decision

11. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because we could not add to the Council's response.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman