The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the failure of the Council to deal with a complaint by Ms X in her capacity as a headteacher. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. There is an absolute bar that prevents us investigating complaints made by the representatives of public bodies.
The complaint
Ms X said the Council failed to respond properly to her complaint after she contacted the Council about a child.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We cannot investigate complaints from public bodies. (Local Government Act 1974, section 27(1)(a), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
Final decision
We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint because she is acting in her capacity as a headteacher, and she is thus the representative of a public body.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman