The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the education provided to the complainant’s daughter. This is because we cannot consider complaints about schools.
The complaint
The complainant, whom I shall refer to as Miss X, complained her daughter’s school had failed to properly support her. This meant her daughter missed school. She said the lack of support affected her daughter’s mental health and will have a long-term impact.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
We cannot investigate complaints about what happens in schools. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, paragraph 5(b), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
Final decision
We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint because complaints about schools are outside our jurisdiction.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman