Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about travel training for his child, Y. The Council has agreed to re-start the training. It is unlikely an investigation by us would achieve anything more.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council has refused to provide travel training for his child, Y as set out in Y’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan. He says Y is being denied the opportunity to learn independent living skills. He wants the Council to provide travel training as set out in Y’s EHC Plan.

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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 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 the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. During my consideration of this complaint, the Council has agreed to re-start travel training with Y. It has said it will:
• Collaborate with Y’s college again regarding previous safety concerns.
• On receipt of a positive update, create a bespoke session and route plan for Y.
• Contact Y’s parents to discuss a session plan moving forward.
• Potentially start the sessions in September 2025 and record progress after each session.
• Work collaboratively with Y’s parents, with the option for a parent to attend a session to observe Y’s training.
6. We will not investigate this complaint. The Council has agreed to re-start the travel training for Y, which is the outcome Mr X was seeking. An investigation by us would be unlikely to achieve anything more.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the Council has agreed to re-start travel training with Y and it is unlikely an investigation by us would achieve anything more.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman