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.

Derbyshire County Council (25 009 108)

Statement Upheld School transport 03-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because the Council has acknowledged its mistakes and offered a significant symbolic payment to recognise the impact on Ms X and G. There is no outstanding injustice for us to consider, and no worthwhile outcome achievable by further investigation.

Wakefield City Council (25 013 396)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 03-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms M’s complaint about post-16 transport for her son because it would be reasonable for her to use the Council’s appeals process. There is nothing worthwhile we could achieve by investigating Ms M’s complaint at this stage.

Rutland County Council (25 013 538)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 03-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms M’s complaint about the Council’s response to her questions about its new school transport policy because investigation would not lead to a different outcome. It would be reasonable for Ms M to use the Council’s appeals process to challenge the impact of the new policy on her son.

Northumberland County Council (25 011 453)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 02-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of post-16 college transport. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council for us to be able to question its actions and we cannot achieve the desired outcome. It is open to Mr and Mrs X to apply for transport for the current academic year.

Kent County Council (25 012 577)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 02-Feb-2026

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

Northumberland County Council (25 010 597)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 29-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms M’s complaint about school transport because there is not enough evidence of fault.

West Sussex County Council (25 013 306)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 29-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms M’s complaint about school transport because events before September 2024 are too old, and the Council arranged an appeal for Ms M to challenge the mileage rate she receives. This is a reasonable way to resolve the dispute.

Kent County Council (25 011 139)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 28-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse Mrs X’s application for free home-to-school transport for her child. This is because Mrs X has the right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) and it would be reasonable for her to do so.

Essex County Council (25 011 341)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School transport 28-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s request for school transport. We cannot consider part of Mr X’s complaint because of an appeal to a tribunal. There are other parts where we could not achieve anything more. It is reasonable for Mr X to complete the Council’s own appeals process if he remains unhappy with the transport offered.