School attendance fine effectiveness
Inconsistent and unregulated use of school attendance fines, with concerns about their effectiveness and potential counterproductivity.
303 items
3 sources
1 inquiry
Source spread
Where this theme appears
School attendance fine effectiveness has been flagged across 3 independent accountability sources:
1 inquiry rec
36 committee recs
266 LGO/SPSO decisions
When the same issue appears across inquiries, coroner reports, and regulators independently, it indicates a recurring issue across the public record.
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Committee Recommendations (36)
#36 — Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils face significant attendance barriers requiring targeted support.
Recommendation: There is clear evidence to suggest pupils from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community face significant barriers to attendance. Whilst the Department is aware of this, not enough is being done to support this pupil cohort, and community interventions are …
Gov response: The Department will continue to convene the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Stakeholder group on a termly basis to provide support, scrutiny and insight regarding the experiences of GRT communities across the range of the Department’s …
Not Addressed
#10 —
Recommendation: Schools should publish their permanent and fixed term exclusion rates by year group every term, including providing information about pupils with SEND and looked- after children. Schools should also publish data on the number of pupils who have left the …
Gov response: 15. The Department collects data on suspensions and permanent exclusions from all state- funded schools via the termly school census. This data is published in an annual statistical release and includes data relating to individual …
Under Consideration
#14 —
Recommendation: Given that home to school transport policy aims to facilitate attendance, we asked the Department if the current system was doing all it could to promote it. The Department told us that it saw transport as critical to ensuring access …
Response Pending
#13 —
Recommendation: In the academic year 2023/24, around one in five children of compulsory school age in England missed a day or more of school per fortnight – and around one in three at sixth form age.28 Government data from November 2025 …
Response Pending
#10 — Require legal intervention as last resort, introducing a national framework for consistent attendance fines.
Recommendation: We recommend the Department instruct schools and local authorities to explore methods of support for pupils and families before the use of fines or prosecution, ensuring that legal intervention is a last resort only. The Department should be more explicit …
Gov response: The ‘Working together to improve attendance’ guidance is clear that in most cases, local agencies collaborating to provide ‘support first’ is the right approach to tackle attendance problems. The core focus of the guidance is …
Not Addressed
#9 — Department lacks urgency in addressing inconsistent and unregulated use of attendance fines.
Recommendation: There is evidence that prior to the pandemic, fines played a role in reducing unauthorised absence. However, it is less clear if they are an effective deterrent for families who are facing some of the current barriers to attendance we …
Gov response: The ‘Working together to improve attendance’ guidance is clear that in most cases, local agencies collaborating to provide ‘support first’ is the right approach to tackle attendance problems. The core focus of the guidance is …
Partially Accepted
#8 — Conduct an audit of local authority support for persistent absence and assess EWO funding impact.
Recommendation: The Department should conduct an audit of support provided by local authorities to tackle persistent absence. As part of this, the Department should make an assessment of the impact of providing funding for Education Welfare Officers through schools, compared to …
Gov response: The Department is already closely monitoring support provided by local authorities. The role of the local authority in attendance has changed significantly from that of the pre-2014 Education Welfare Service. While core functions have been …
Accepted
#7 — Ensure all schools across the country can access good support for tackling persistent absence.
Recommendation: We heard that support offered by local authorities can vary significantly. For example, since the funding for Education Welfare Officers has been devolved to schools, it has become a “traded good” for most schools, and a postcode lottery for pupils. …
Gov response: The Department is already closely monitoring support provided by local authorities. The role of the local authority in attendance has changed significantly from that of the pre-2014 Education Welfare Service. While core functions have been …
Accepted
#4 — Introduce a register of children not in school fully operational for the 2024/25 academic year.
Recommendation: We urge the Government to deliver on its commitment to introduce a register of children not in school to be fully operational for the 2024/25 academic year. We therefore expect the Government to include a suitable legislative vehicle in the …
Gov response: The Government recognises the linkages between persistent absence and a parental decision to elect to home educate. Some of the most common reasons given for persistent absence are similar to the reasons behind the decision …
Not Addressed
#11 — Pupil absence rates, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic.
Recommendation: The Department recognises that a key element of improving attainment is for children to be in school.19 Rates of pupil absence from school are, however, higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.20 Written evidence we received from Action Tutoring …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: July 2024 2.2 Over the academic year 2023-24, the department will build on existing absence analysis and use available data to develop a better …
Partially Accepted
#2 — Develop understanding of reasons for higher absence rates among disadvantaged pupils and take action
Recommendation: Effective recovery relies on pupils being at school but absence is higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among disadvantaged pupils. In the autumn and spring terms of 2021/22, the average absence rate for all pupils was 7.4%, …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: July 2024 2.2 Over the academic year 2023-24, the department will build on existing absence analysis and use available data to develop a better …
Partially Accepted
#37 — Roll out national measures to support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils using best practice.
Recommendation: We recommend the Department continue to work with stakeholders from the GRT community and using examples of best practice, roll out measures on a national scale to support this pupil cohort. (Paragraph 168) 68 Persistent absence and support for disadvantaged …
Gov response: The Department will continue to convene the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Stakeholder group on a termly basis to provide support, scrutiny and insight regarding the experiences of GRT communities across the range of the Department’s …
Not Addressed
#35 — Conduct further research on attendance barriers for migrant pupils and those with high absence rates.
Recommendation: We heard that pupils with English as an additional language, or migrant pupils face some specific barriers to attendance. Although we asked if pupils from other ethnic minority groups faced barriers to attendance, such as Pakistani pupils, and White and …
Gov response: Migrant pupils are a very diverse group with a wide range of needs. Research utilising a case study approach encompassing qualitative data collection from school staff, governors, parents and pupils (NIESR, 20194) highlighted several issues …
Accepted
#15 — Require local authorities to report on school attendance for pupils attending breakfast or holiday clubs.
Recommendation: We recommend the Department require local authorities to report on school attendance levels for pupils who have attended a breakfast club or holiday club. If a significant impact can be demonstrated, the Government should consider this in future funding decisions.
Gov response: 15. The Government recognises the linkages between persistent absence and a parental decision to elect to home educate. Some of the most common reasons given for persistent absence are similar to the reasons behind the …
Under Consideration
#14 — Department fails to require measurement of attendance return rates from breakfast and holiday clubs.
Recommendation: We welcome the offer of breakfast clubs and the Holiday Activities and Food Programme for pupils with higher levels of disadvantage. This measure can be used to support attendance, and may already be doing so, but there is a lack …
Gov response: 15. The Government recognises the linkages between persistent absence and a parental decision to elect to home educate. Some of the most common reasons given for persistent absence are similar to the reasons behind the …
Under Consideration
#6 — Implement statutory guidance on school attendance to be applicable from September.
Recommendation: The Department should implement statutory guidance to be applicable from September
Gov response: The Government issued the guidance ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ in May 2022, and it has been widely welcomed both for the ‘support first’ ethos it promotes and the clearer expectations it sets out. …
Accepted
#5 — Statutory school attendance guidance requires revision and remains delayed despite commitments.
Recommendation: We heard mixed reactions to the guidance working together to improve school attendance. Whilst witnesses agreed guidance on a statutory footing is needed to improve attendance, we heard from a number of witnesses that the guidance in its current form …
Gov response: The Government issued the guidance ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ in May 2022, and it has been widely welcomed both for the ‘support first’ ethos it promotes and the clearer expectations it sets out. …
Accepted
#14 — Department champions shared responsibility and the Attendance Action Alliance for improving school attendance.
Recommendation: The Department said it had set a strong expectation that attendance was everyone’s responsibility, including parents, schools and local authorities. It also stressed the importance of leadership and data. It explained that national leadership was being provided by the Attendance …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: July 2024 2.2 Over the academic year 2023-24, the department will build on existing absence analysis and use available data to develop a better …
Partially Accepted
#34 — Implement better signposting and consider requiring a single local authority support contact.
Recommendation: The Department should also implement better signposting to ensure local authorities, schools and families are aware of these measures. The Department should consider whether to require a single point of contact within each local authority that families can refer to …
Gov response: The Department agrees it is important to raise the awareness of the support available to low income families and will look for opportunities to do this across policy areas and initiatives aimed at providing this …
Partially Accepted
#33 — Review framework supporting low-income families with school costs and issue best practice guidance.
Recommendation: Ultimately, pupils from low-socio economic backgrounds should not be prevented from receiving an education due their financial situation, and this should be considered a priority for the Department as the cost of living continues to rise. We recommend the Department …
Gov response: 33. The Government welcomes the Committee’s support for our recent expansion of attendance mentors and the recognition in the evidence to the Committee of key elements of the associated model including the role of strong …
Under Consideration
#32 — Respond with data on transport cost support take-up by low-income families.
Recommendation: Transport and uniform costs were identified as barriers to school attendance, especially with recent increases to the cost of living. Although the Department provides extra support to low-income families, such as help with transport costs, it is clear from our …
Gov response: 33. The Government welcomes the Committee’s support for our recent expansion of attendance mentors and the recognition in the evidence to the Committee of key elements of the associated model including the role of strong …
Under Consideration
#29 — Introduce a mental health absence code for schools with clear usage thresholds.
Recommendation: As part of reforms to the guidance on attendance, the Department should introduce a mental health absence code, and set clear thresholds for its use.
Gov response: 30. The ‘Working together to improve attendance’ guidance is clear that in most cases, local agencies collaborating to provide ‘support first’ is the right approach to tackle attendance problems. The core focus of the guidance …
Under Consideration
#28 — Lack of authorised mental health absence code burdens families with medical evidence.
Recommendation: Mental health-related absences are not commonly authorised by schools, sometimes due to requirements to provide medical evidence which can often lead to fines or prosecution for families. The introduction of an authorised mental health absence code could eliminate the need …
Gov response: Children and young people’s mental wellbeing is a priority for the Government. Schools should be safe, calm and supportive learning environments that promote and support wellbeing. The Department has issued guidance to schools about instances …
Not Accepted
#19 — Implement an enrichment guarantee for pupils with KPIs focused on improving school attendance.
Recommendation: As the Centre for Social Justice have recommend, the Department should implement an enrichment guarantee for pupils in school including the use of sport, music, drama and art, looking to the youth sector for best practice. This guarantee should have …
Gov response: The Government is committed to supporting children from low-income families to achieve their potential, including £5bn investment in education recovery and £2.9bn annually in the pupil premium. The pupil premium funds evidence-based high-quality teaching, targeted …
Not Addressed
#18 — Promote an overall enrichment guarantee for pupils in school to improve attendance.
Recommendation: The provision of enrichment activities available for pupils has declined in recent years, with £1 billion less spent on youth services than a decade ago. We heard sports-based activities provided by third sector organisations is just one example of enrichment …
Gov response: 18. The Government issued the guidance ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ in May 2022, and it has been widely welcomed both for the ‘support first’ ethos it promotes and the clearer expectations it sets …
Under Consideration
#17 — Commission research to test the link between sports-based interventions and improved school attendance.
Recommendation: We recommend the Department commission research to test the link between sports- based interventions and improved attendance. As part of this, the Department should look to the third sector for effective practice examples.
Gov response: 18. The Government issued the guidance ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ in May 2022, and it has been widely welcomed both for the ‘support first’ ethos it promotes and the clearer expectations it sets …
Under Consideration
#16 — Limited and unsustainable sports-based interventions hinder improved school attendance for pupils.
Recommendation: We heard limited evidence that schools were offering sports-based interventions to improve school attendance, despite the benefits of sport to pupil engagement. We did hear of localised interventions that are offering some provision, but the position of these interventions is …
Gov response: The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme provides enriching activities and nutritious meals to children in school holidays, with free places for children eligible for free school meals. Sport and physical activities are often a …
Accepted
#31 — Launch a public information campaign guiding parents on school attendance during illness.
Recommendation: We recommend the Department should launch a targeted public information campaign to guide parents on when and when not children who are unwell should attend school. Close working between the Department and the Department for Health and Social Care will …
Gov response: The Government welcomes this recommendation. The Department has already worked with the Department of Health and Social Care and its agencies to issue a letter signed by various professional health bodies – including the Chief …
Accepted
#30 — Inconsistent messaging and shifted parental attitudes increase post-pandemic illness absence rates.
Recommendation: Illness was the primary reason for pupil absence before covid-19 and remains so. But parental attitudes to illness and attendance have shifted and Government messaging has been inconsistent. As a result, the illness absence rate is considerably higher now that …
Gov response: 30. The ‘Working together to improve attendance’ guidance is clear that in most cases, local agencies collaborating to provide ‘support first’ is the right approach to tackle attendance problems. The core focus of the guidance …
Accepted
#25 — Scrutinise alternative provision use to improve attendance, discouraging its application for behaviour management.
Recommendation: It is clear that alternative provision should only be a time-limited intervention with clear structures to ensure each pupil’s needs are being effectively supported. The Department should scrutinise its use and ensure they’re being used as methods of support to …
Gov response: The Government acknowledges that if needs and behaviours that present a barrier to attendance were addressed earlier, more children could be supported to thrive in their mainstream school. That is why the proposed alternative provision …
Accepted
#24 — Alternative provision should not be a long-term solution or used for behaviour management.
Recommendation: We heard that alternative provision settings are providing useful interventions for pupils with attendance issues, we accept that it can be used as a process for reintegration. But, it is clear that alternative provision should not be seen as a …
Gov response: The Government acknowledges that if needs and behaviours that present a barrier to attendance were addressed earlier, more children could be supported to thrive in their mainstream school. That is why the proposed alternative provision …
Accepted
#21 — Take specific barriers into account when developing attendance metrics for SEND pupils.
Recommendation: Attendance and engagement should be seen as key metrics of educational outcomes for SEND pupils in specialist settings. However, the Department should take specific barriers into account when developing these metrics and ensure that they are not expected to behave …
Gov response: 21. The Government undertook a full new burdens assessment in Spring 2022 which is publicly available on gov.uk. The assessment was undertaken with the Association of Government response 5 Directors of Childrens Services (ADCS), Local …
Under Consideration
#20 — Take greater care when reporting SEND attendance statistics to avoid unhelpful comparisons.
Recommendation: Absence rates in special schools have always been significantly higher than in mainstream educational settings. We understand the SEND cohort have higher absences for legitimate and unavoidable reasons, thus making comparisons with other cohorts difficult. We recommend the Department take …
Gov response: 21. The Government undertook a full new burdens assessment in Spring 2022 which is publicly available on gov.uk. The assessment was undertaken with the Association of Government response 5 Directors of Childrens Services (ADCS), Local …
Under Consideration
#3 — Government commitments to a national register of children not in school remain unfulfilled.
Recommendation: The Department monitoring daily school attendance is a welcome step, but further monitoring is needed to identify and support those children not receiving a formal education. We have repeatedly called for a register of children not in school and were …
Gov response: The Government recognises the linkages between persistent absence and a parental decision to elect to home educate. Some of the most common reasons given for persistent absence are similar to the reasons behind the decision …
Not Addressed
#2 — Mandate schools' participation in the daily attendance data dashboard as soon as possible.
Recommendation: We welcome the daily attendance data pilot, the Department’s intention to mandate schools’ participation, and to replace the School Census. Given that around 80% of schools have been successfully using the dashboard over the last academic year, for consistency, we …
Gov response: The Government welcomes the Committee’s recognition of the value of timely attendance data, the progress that has been made in implementing the daily data pilot, and its important potential role in driving improved attendance. The …
Accepted
#10 —
Recommendation: Action on mobile phone use in schools is necessary and broadly supported by teachers and school leaders. However, restrictions within schools alone cannot address the drivers of harm that originate in the wider online environment. We are concerned that the …
Response Pending
LGO / SPSO Decisions (266)
21-010-042 — London Borough of Lambeth
Summary: Miss X complained the Council wrongly sought to prosecute her for her son’s non-attendance at school. The Council’s failure to properly document how it considered all of the factors and reached the decision to prosecute Miss X for Mr Y’s non-attendance at school, amounts to fault. This fault has …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Apr 2022
22-005-385 — Sheffield City Council
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council pursuing Miss X about the school attendance of her children. The matter complained of is not separable from ongoing court action.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Nov 2022
23-021-330 — Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council taking court action against Mrs X for the payment of a school attendance fine. The onset of court action has permanently removed our legal power to investigate this matter.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
May 2024
24-020-930 — Manchester City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an alleged threat of legal action made by a Council officer to Miss X regarding school attendance. There is not enough evidence of injustice caused by fault to warrant investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
May 2025
24-017-863 — Milton Keynes Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the decision to issue a fixed penalty notice for his child’s unauthorised absence from school. The authority to issue the notice belongs to a school’s headteacher and the Council’s role is only ancillary to that. We have no powers to investigate …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Jun 2025
25-013-538 — Rutland County Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
25-013-396 — Wakefield City Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
24-023-502 — Leicestershire County Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
25-019-079 — North Yorkshire Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
21-006-297 — Manchester City Council
Summary: Mrs E complained about how the Council handled her application for home to school transport for her son. We find fault with the way the Council considered Mrs E’s application and appeal. The Council has agreed to our recommendations to address the injustice caused by fault.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Feb 2022
21-016-300 — Warwickshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr and Mrs X’s complaint about the Council issuing fixed penalty notices for school non-attendance. This is because it does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. It is reasonable to expect them to have defended …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Mar 2022
21-006-088 — St Andrew's RC School
Mrs B complained about the appeal panel failing to follow proper procedures when it rejected her appeal against the School governors’ decision to refuse her son a place in year 7. As a result, the family is under a great amount of stress, and she has the uncertainty of not …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
May 2022
21-005-827 — East Sussex County Council
Summary: Mrs B complained that the Council did not properly consider her reheard appeal for transport assistance for her daughter, Y, to attend college. We found fault in the way the Council considered her reheard appeal. The Council agreed to apologise, pay Mrs B £100 for her frustration, and rehear …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Sep 2022
23-020-037 — Manchester City Council
Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council issuing a school none attendance fixed penalty notice. It is unlikely we would achieve a significantly different outcome.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Apr 2024
23-020-731 — Gloucestershire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Apr 2024
23-020-591 — Portsmouth City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to prosecute Miss Y for her son’s school attendance. The law says we cannot investigate a complaint about the start of court action, the complaint is late, and there is not enough evidence of fault.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
May 2024
23-013-462 — Thurrock Council
Summary: Mrs Y complains the Council took too long to offer a school place to her son, D, when she stopped providing home education. She says D missed a significant amount of education due to the Council’s delay. We find the Council did not comply with the timescales in the …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Jul 2024
24-000-862 — Sunderland City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council advising the complainant it would seek an attendance order if failed to provide an education plan for his daughter who is home educated. The Council has apologised for writing to Mr X who does not live within its area. It …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Aug 2024
24-018-478 — Trafford Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the panel for us to be able to question its decision.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Apr 2025
24-021-503 — Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We cannot investigate X’s complaint about the Council’s actions related to their child’s school attendance. The Council has started court action about the matter. We cannot investigate a complaint about the start of court action or matters that can be raised as part of court proceedings.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
May 2025
25-005-327 — North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s school admissions appeal panel refusing her appeal. It is unlikely we would find fault which caused Ms X to lose out on a school place.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Jun 2025
25-006-245 — St George's CoE School (Broadstairs)
Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the panel for us to be able to question its decision.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Jul 2025
25-005-880 — South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s school admissions appeal panel refusing her appeal. It is unlikely we would find fault which caused Miss X to lose out on a school place.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Jul 2025
25-006-136 — Staffordshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council refusing to provide her child with transport to school. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Sep 2025
25-011-069 — Suffolk County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse Mrs X’s application for free home-to-school transport for her child. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Nov 2025
24-004-112 — Lancashire County Council
Summary: Ms X complained about the decision of the Council’s Independent Appeal Panel to refuse her child a place at a grammar school. There was no fault in the way the Panel considered the appeal. The Ombudsman cannot question decisions made without fault.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Not Upheld
Dec 2024
24-004-996 — Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School
Summary: Mrs X complains about a school admission appeal panel’s decision to refuse her appeal. The appeal panel was at fault as it failed to properly consider all the evidence submitted by Mrs X in support of her appeal. As a result, Mrs X cannot be satisfied that she received …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Dec 2024
24-011-807 — Coventry City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the conduct of a school admission appeal panel in refusing an infant class place for Mrs X’s child. There is not enough evidence of procedural fault by the panel to warrant our further involvement.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Dec 2024
24-015-919 — Kent County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the arrangements made for her daughter to sit the Kent Test for entry to grammar schools. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs X to use her right of appeal.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Dec 2024
24-004-668 — St Hilda's C of E High School, Liverpool
Summary: Mrs X complained about the School admission arrangements and the way they were applied. Mrs X also complained the admission appeal panel failed to properly consider her appeal for a school place for her child, Y. The School was not at fault and the panel properly considered her appeal.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Not Upheld
Dec 2024
24-005-345 — Pensby High School
complained about a school admissions appeal hearing for her son.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Not Upheld
Dec 2024
24-001-024 — Kent County Council
Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to support her in finding an in-year school place for her child. We did not find fault with the Council’s actions.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Not Upheld
Dec 2024
24-023-192 — Kingston Upon Hull City Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
25-012-198 — Staffordshire County Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
21-007-594 — Newcastle upon Tyne City Council
Summary: there is no fault in the Council’s decision not to provide taxis to take Ms M’s daughter, G, to school. The Ombudsman cannot question decisions taken without fault.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Not Upheld
Jan 2022
21-007-181 — Suffolk County Council
Summary: the Council refused Mr and Mrs P’s request for school transport for their daughter, G, because there is a safe walking route. Mr and Mrs P have not had an opportunity to challenge the Council’s decision the route is safe. The Council has agreed share the safety assessment with …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Jan 2022
21-015-344 — London Borough of Haringey
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the conduct of a telephone call about school attendance. Investigation would be unlikely to lead to a worthwhile outcome.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Feb 2022
21-001-400 — Worcestershire County Council
Summary: Mrs T complains about how the Council dealt with her application for home to school transport for her child. The Council failed to properly apply the relevant law when it originally refused to award Mrs T’s child school travel assistance. It also refused to backdate and reimburse the travel …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Feb 2022
21-008-023 — Essex County Council
Summary: Miss X complained that the Council failed to consider her application and appeal for home to school transport for her 16-year-old son properly. There was fault in the way the Council considered the matter as it did not look at whether in all the circumstances of the case it …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
May 2022
21-018-526 — Bury Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: Mr X complained an appeal panel failed to properly consider his admissions appeal for his daughter, Y, leaving her without a school place. We find fault with the way the panel documented the consideration of Y’s appeal. The Council should apologise to Mr X and arrange a fresh appeal …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Jun 2022
22-006-489 — Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Aug 2022
22-009-182 — Oxfordshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to reimburse home to school transport costs. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Oct 2022
21-011-753 — Shropshire Council
Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision to refuse school transport for his daughter. The Ombudsman has found the Council was at fault for not assessing the safety of any of the walking routes it identified. We have also found the Council’s policies on school transport do not follow …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Nov 2022
22-003-415 — Suffolk County Council
Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to provide suitable transport to and from school for her child. We found fault with the Council failing to provide suitable transport. The Council agreed to our recommendations to provide an apology to Y and pay Mrs X £300, for Y’s benefit, for …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Nov 2022
24-000-114 — Staffordshire County Council
Council’s decision to refuse Miss X’s application for free school transport for her daughter.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
May 2024
23-013-726 — Hampshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s response to incidents related to her child’s school transport. An investigation would not lead to a different outcome and we could not achieve what Ms X wants.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Jun 2024
24-004-190 — Liverpool City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with Miss X’s application for a school place. This is because it is reasonable for Miss X to use her right of appeal.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Jun 2024
24-003-733 — Kent County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Jul 2024
23-019-931 — Lancashire County Council
Summary: Mrs M complains about the Independent Appeal Panel’s decision not to admit her children to a primary school. There is no fault in the Panel’s decision. The Ombudsman cannot question decisions taken without fault.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Not Upheld
Jul 2024
23-018-754 — Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Summary: Ms X complained that the Council failed to act when her son was not attending school. We found some fault causing an injustice. The Council has agreed the recommended ways to remedy this. Therefore, we have completed our investigation and are closing the case.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Sep 2024