Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint the Council would not let him enrol onto adult education courses. This is because the law prevents us from investigating complaints about adult education.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council would not let him enrol onto any more adult education courses. He said this was detrimental to his wellbeing and he believed the Council had discriminated against him by deciding this.

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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 or other education establishments. (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 and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. The Council runs adult learning courses in a learning centre. Mr X has previously studied and completed courses at the learning centre.
7. The Council told Mr X he could not complete any more courses at the learning centre and gave him reasons why it decided this.
8. Mr X complained the Council had discriminated against him when making its decision.
9. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint. The law says we cannot investigate any complaint that concerns the conduct, curriculum, internal organisation, management or discipline, of any educational establishment run by the Council. This restriction applies to adult education.

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Final decision

10. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because the law prevents us from investigating complaints about adult education centres or courses.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman