Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. This is because Mr X’s child has now been offered a place at his preferred school and so an investigation could not achieve anything more.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I shall refer to as Mr X, complained about an unsuccessful school admission appeal.

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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 effect on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (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 and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X complained about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. Mr X’s child has now been offered a place at Mr X’s preferred school. We will not therefore investigate because we could not achieve anything more for Mr X.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because we could not achieve anything more for him.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman