Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to provide independent travel training for Mr X’s child Y. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to result in a different outcome for Mr X.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council has failed to provide the transport agreed to in a meeting for his child, Y.

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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:

• we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation, or
• 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 Mr X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X appealed the Council’s decision to provide his child Y with a hybrid form of travel assistance that did not include independent travel training. He said the Council agreed to provide the training during a meeting. He also complained the Council failed to keep to deadlines in responding to his complaint.
6. The Council explained it did not consider independent travel training a viable option for Y due to location and the goals cited in their education, health and care plan. The Council apologised for the delay in responding this complaint.
7. Mr X wants us to find the Council at fault. The Ombudsman cannot question the merits of a decision the Council has made provided it has followed the correct process. There is no evidence of fault in the Council’s consideration of Mr X’s request for independent travel training or in how it is managing its duty to provide travel assistance for Y. An investigation would therefore be unlikely to result in a different outcome.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because an investigation would be unlikely to result in a different outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman