Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about an unsuccessful school admission appeal. Mr X’s child has now been offered a place at his preferred school. Investigation by the Ombudsman could not achieve anything more.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mr X, complained about an unsuccessful school admission appeal for his child to attend his preferred school.

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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 further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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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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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because his preferred school has now offered a place. This is the outcome Mr X wanted and investigation by the Ombudsman would not achieve anything more.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman