Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the independent appeal panel’s decision not to admit her son to the school because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains following her unsuccessful appeal for a place for her son at the school. She says the decision will have a negative impact on her mental health and her ability to care for her son. She wants her application to be re-assessed to take account of her circumstances.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

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 there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

4. The Ombudsman is not another appeal. We do not decide whether Ms X’s son should be admitted to the school. That was the independent appeal panel’s job.
5. There is not enough evidence of fault in the panel’s decision to justify an investigation.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman