Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council has failed to provide a school with funding for children with Special Educational Needs. This is because the complainant is acting on behalf of the school, which is a public body.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I will call Miss X, complains that the Council has failed to pay the school she works for funds to provide support for children with Education Health and Care (EHC) plans.

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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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My assessment

6. Mrs X works at a school. She complains that the Council has failed to provide funding for children with EHC plans, and that she needs to pursue the Council every year for the same funding.
7. I cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint because it is made on behalf of a school which is a public body. There is no discretion available to consider this matter.

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Final decision

8. We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint because she complains on behalf of a school, which is a public body.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman