Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions relating to a young person with special educational needs. This is because the complaint is made on behalf of a public body. It is therefore outside our jurisdiction with no discretion to investigate.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about the Council’s actions relating to a young person with special educational needs. Mr X complains on behalf of the school at which the young person is a student.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate complaints from public bodies. (Local Government Act 1974, section 27(1)(a), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint. This is because he is complaining on behalf of a public body. The law prevents us from considering such complaints.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman