Birmingham City Council (25 000 460)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 08-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about charges for post-16 school transport. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Surrey County Council (25 001 306)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 03-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse the complainant’s application and appeal for changes to school transport arrangements for his son. We have not seen enough evidence of fault on the Council’s part to warrant investigation.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (25 000 455)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 02-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council refusing to provide home to school transport and its handling of her child’s Education, Health and Care Plan. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council for us to question its decision not to provide transport. If Mrs X wants to challenge the content of her child’s Education, Health and Care Plan, it is reasonable for her to appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

Cornwall Council (25 000 394)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 30-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Miss X’s request for home to school transport. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Hampshire County Council (25 000 962)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 30-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to provide Miss X’s child with free transport to school. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Manchester City Council (24 019 837)

Statement Upheld School transport 29-Jun-2025

Summary: Miss B complained the Council refused to provide home to school transport for her child, C who has special educational needs and a blue badge. The Council was at fault in how it made and explained its decision. It failed to properly consider C’s ability to walk safely in its decision making. The Council will apologise and pay Miss B £100 for the frustration and uncertainty caused. It will undertake a fresh stage two appeal using new panel members and arrange training for relevant school transport staff and panel members.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (24 022 850)

Statement Upheld School transport 29-Jun-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s decision to withdraw the home to school transport previously provided to her child, Y. We have ended our investigation in relation to the Council’s decision to withdraw Y’s home to school transport because the Council will consider this complaint through stage 2 of its complaints process first. The Council was at fault when it wrongly referred Mrs X to the Ombudsman when it should have followed its complaints process. This caused Mrs X avoidable time and trouble. The Council will apologise, pay Mrs X a symbolic payment and investigate and respond to Mrs X’s school transport complaint in line with its complaints process.

North Northamptonshire Council (24 011 415)

Statement Upheld School transport 29-Jun-2025

Summary: Miss X complained that the Council acted unfairly when it decided not to award free school transport to her children. The Council was at fault. The Council did not carry out its assessment properly. The Council should apologise to Miss X and review its internal procedures.

London Borough of Redbridge (24 010 372)

Statement Upheld School transport 26-Jun-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision to refuse his child, Y, travel assistance to and from college. The Council was at fault. It failed to consider Y’s individual circumstances, their Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan and disability when it made its decision and it did not properly explain to Mr X its reasons for refusing travel assistance. It did not follow its appeal process. Furthermore, the Council’s travel assistance policy for post-16 is unclear and its wait time for an assessment for independent travel training is not reasonable. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mr X and pay him £300 for the distress, frustration and uncertainty it caused him. It will also conduct a fresh stage two appeal. In addition, the Council will review and amend its policy, procedures, appeal records and decision letters to prevent a recurrence of fault.

Gloucestershire County Council (24 017 849)

Statement Upheld School transport 24-Jun-2025

Summary: Miss B complained the Council failed to backdate her enhanced personal budget for transport to December 2024 and that caused her financial hardship. The Council has now agreed to backdate the personal budget to December 2024. There is nothing further the Ombudsman can achieve for Miss B.