Northumberland County Council has been criticised for its ‘flawed’ school transport policy when it comes to teenagers with special educational needs.
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman launched an investigation after the mother of a teenager, who has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, complained the council declined to provide free school transport when he moved to college.
The council said there was another college closer to home for the son, and because the course he was set to study was not of the right standard, he did not meet its criteria for transport.
The council’s policy recommended applicants check their eligibility before applying for a course and transport, but the Ombudsman’s investigation found the policy’s wording made it difficult for families to do that.
The investigation also found that the council did not explain to the mum about its transport policy and how the family’s college choice would affect whether transport would be provided.
Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said: ‘In this case I have found the council’s policy on transport for teenagers with EHC Plans was not clear enough to allow parents to make the right choices, so I have asked it to look again at its policy to make it fairer.
‘I’m pleased the council has agreed to my recommendations, which should ensure there is greater clarity for parents of teenagers with EHC Plans before they make important decisions about their future education options.’
A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: 'We strive to provide the highest standards of customer service to all our residents. We are disappointed to have fallen short on this occasion and apologise for the inconvenience caused.
'Since this complaint was made in 2020, we have carried out a review of our wider school and college transport service and an action plan is in place to address the recommendations of the Ombudsman’s report.'
