The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful school admission appeal. This is because the child has now been offered a place at the school and so there is nothing more we can achieve.
The complaint
The complainant, who I will call Miss X, complains about an unsuccessful school admission appeal.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Ombudsman investigates 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 may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint. This is because her child has now been offered a place at the school. This is the outcome Miss X wanted and we cannot achieve anything more.
Final decision
We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman