Nottinghamshire County Council (17 014 121)
Summary
Mrs X complains there was fault in the admissions process and the actions of a panel that heard her appeal against the refusal of places for her daughters, Y and Z at School A.
Mr Q complains of the same fault affecting his son, P.
Finding
The Ombudsman upheld the complaints and found fault causing injustice.
Recommendations
Regarding Mrs X, the Council has agreed to:
- apologise
- pay Mrs X £500 per school year from September 2016 until the time either her eldest child leaves School A or she has an offer of places for Y and Z at School A, whichever is earlier, to recognise the extra time and cost she and her husband have incurred. Should there be an offer of places mid-year or her eldest child leave School A mid-year, the £500 for that year should be paid pro rata; and
- pays Mrs X £250 for her distress in being denied the remedy to which she would normally be entitled and £250 for her time and trouble in having to go through two appeals and approach us. This makes a total of £500.
Regarding Mr Q, the Council has agreed to:
- apologise;
- pay Mr Q £500 per school year from September 2016 until the time either his elder child leaves School A or he has an offer of a place for P at School A, whichever is earlier, to recognise the extra time and cost he and his wife have incurred. Should there be an offer of places mid-year or his eldest child leave School A mid-year, the £500 for that year should be paid pro rata; and
- pay Mr Q £250 for his distress in being denied the remedy to which he would normally be entitled and £250 for his time and trouble in having to go through two appeals and approach us. This makes a total of £500.
Ombudsman satisfied with Council's response: 2 November 2018