Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council (24 023 246)

Report Upheld School transport 10-Feb-2026

Summary: The Council failed to decide if it was “necessary” to provide appropriate free transport to enable Ms X’s adult daughter, Miss Y, to attend the college named in her Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan. It confused matters for adult learners, like Miss Y, who began their course after the age of 19, with the education transport rules for sixth form students. The Council’s amended Transport Policy 2024/2025 was not in line with the Education Act 1996 or case law for 19–25 year old learners with an EHC Plan. The faults caused Ms X avoidable frustration, avoidable time and trouble and uncertainty to her and Miss Y.

London Borough of Harrow (25 006 711)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 20-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of home to school transport for Miss X’s brother. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council or significant personal injustice to warrant us investigating. Even if we did investigate, it would not lead to a worthwhile or significantly different outcome, and we will not look at complaint handling in isolation. Any new issues with the transport need to be put to the Council.

Kent County Council (25 012 213)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 19-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse Miss X’s application for free home-to-school transport for her child. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Surrey County Council (25 011 605)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 17-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to withdraw the complainant’s child’s education transport and to refuse her subsequent appeal against the decision. There is insufficient evidence of fault on the Council’s part to warrant our intervention.

Norfolk County Council (25 011 233)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 15-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s school transport policy or its decision to change her child’s transport arrangements. This is because it would be reasonable for Ms X to challenge the decision using the Council’s appeals procedure. There is not enough evidence of fault in the transport policy itself to investigate that as a standalone issue.

North Yorkshire Council (25 019 079)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 15-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing free home-to-school transport. We are unlikely to find fault in the Council’s decision making.

Leicestershire County Council (24 023 502)

Statement Upheld School transport 14-Jan-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault for failing to ensure Y’s final amended Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan was issued within statutory timescales following the annual review. The Council was also at fault for failing to consider the relevant circumstances of Y’s school transport application when deciding to award them a personal travel budget instead of council organised transport. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to remedy the distress, frustration and uncertainty caused.

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (25 011 309)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 14-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate part of Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to provide home to school transport for her child because there is insufficient evidence of fault. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint that the stage two decision letter was late because the Council already apologised and an investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

Somerset Council (25 011 771)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 12-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to accept Ms X’s medical evidence in support of her application for school transport. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions.

Kent County Council (25 011 479)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 12-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to change the arrangements for the complainant’s son’s school transport. There is insufficient evidence of fault on the Council’s part to warrant investigation.