Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. Since bringing her complaint to us, the Council has agreed to offer Ms X a fresh appeal. This is the outcome she wants and an investigation by us would achieve nothing more.

The complaint

1. Ms X complained about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. She said this had caused distress, inconvenience and financial loss. She wants the Council to offer her a fresh appeal.

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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. Since bringing her complaint to us, the Council has told us that it has reviewed the case and decided to offer Ms X a fresh appeal.
6. We will not investigate this complaint. The Council has offered Ms X a fresh appeal. This is the outcome she wanted. An investigation by us would achieve nothing more.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because an investigation would achieve nothing more.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman