Suffolk County Council (20 010 169)
Statement Upheld School transport 04-Jun-2021
Summary: Mrs X complained the Council declined her application for school transport for her three children. She complained the Council did not fully consider her grounds for appeal and incurred delays in the process. We have found fault by the Council causing stress to Mrs X. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mrs X and reconsider her applications for home to school transport.
Buckinghamshire Council (20 003 026)
Statement Upheld School transport 02-Jun-2021
Summary: Mrs X complained that the Council wrongly refused to provide free home to school transport for her son, Y, because she did not put her nearest school as first preference when applying for a school place. We find the Council was at fault because its school transport policy at the time did not comply with statutory guidance. This caused Mrs X a significant injustice because she was refused free school transport for Y as a result. The Council has agreed to remedy this injustice by providing home to school transport and making a payment to her.
Durham County Council (20 006 125)
Statement Upheld School transport 01-Jun-2021
Summary: The Council was at fault for refusing home to school transport for Y, to the only school named in his Education, Health and Care plan. It has since offered to provide the transport. It will make changes to its processes and review the information it gives to families.
Cheshire West & Chester Council (20 008 690)
Statement Upheld School transport 21-May-2021
Summary: Mrs M complains the Council refused her application for school transport for her daughter, G and has not properly considered her concerns about the safety of the proposed walking route. The Council has agreed to arrange a completely impartial second stage appeal so Mrs M can challenge the decision on G's eligibility for school transport.
Birmingham City Council (20 007 685)
Statement Upheld School transport 21-May-2021
Summary: Mr F complained his son B's school transport was unreliable and the journey took too long. The Council upheld his complaint and addressed the problems.
Hampshire County Council (20 003 245)
Statement Upheld School transport 14-May-2021
Summary: Mrs Y complains the Council incorrectly refused her application for home to school travel assistance for her son, B, to attend the school named in his Education, Health and Care Plan. The Ombudsman finds the Council at fault. The Council's failure to properly apply the relevant law when refusing Mrs Y's application caused her frustration and uncertainty. To remedy the injustice caused to Mrs Y, the Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment to Mrs Y and consider her application again.
Birmingham City Council (20 013 885)
Statement Upheld School transport 13-May-2021
Summary: Ms X complained about the Council's decision to refuse her application for home to school transport for her child and the delay in carrying out her appeal. There was no fault in the way the Council reached its decision to refuse the application. It was at fault for the delay in holding the appeal. It has already apologised for this which is a sufficient remedy for the frustration this caused.
Statement Upheld School transport 06-May-2021
Summary: There is fault in the Council's policy in relation to elements of the transport support it will provide for students attending post 16 educational establishments. This fault did not affect the complainant's son but the Council will amend its policy.
East Sussex County Council (20 005 617)
Statement Upheld School transport 05-May-2021
Summary: Mrs B complains about the Council's decision not to award transport assistance for her daughter's college. She says her daughter has not been attending college because the family cannot afford the transport costs. The Ombudsman finds fault in how the appeal panel considered the issues involved.
Suffolk County Council (20 009 295)
Statement Not upheld School transport 04-May-2021
Summary: Mrs C says the Council unreasonably refused school transport for one of her children and failed to tell her what she needed to provide for her appeal. I have not investigated the complaint as I do not consider it likely Mrs C has suffered any injustice because of any fault in the appeal process.