Summary: We will not investigate Ms M’s complaint about alternative provision for her son, B, because the Council has offered a satisfactory remedy.

The complaint

1. Ms M complains about alternative provision proposed by the Council for her son, B, when he was unable to attend school.

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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 do not start or continue an investigation if we decide we could not add to any previous investigation by the Council. (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 Ms M and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. The Council responded in detail at both stages of its complaints process.
6. The Council explained its decisions but acknowledged that discussions with Ms M could have avoided some misunderstanding. The Council offered a payment in line with our published guidance for education B missed in the spring and summer terms of 2025, and for Ms M’s frustration.
7. There is nothing we could add to the Council’s response by investigating further.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Ms M’s complaint about alternative provision for her son, B, because the Council has offered a satisfactory remedy.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman