Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about her child’s school because the Ombudsman does not have powers to look at complaints about schools.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains her child, Y’s school failed to provide appropriate support to meet Y’s needs.

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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 most complaints about what happens in schools. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, paragraph 5(2), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. I cannot investigate matters specific to the actions of Y’s school because the Ombudsman does not have powers to look at complaints about schools.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about her child’s school because it is outside our jurisdiction.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman