Overview
The complainant (Mr C) raised a number of concerns about the handling of his complaint about the investigation by the education authority of an incident involving his son and another pupil in the school playground at his primary school.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that North Lanarkshire Council (the Council) did not:
- (a) properly investigate Mr C's complaint (upheld); and
- (b) deal in a timely manner with Mr C's complaint and his request for a copy of the Council's investigation report and the Council's policy of response to assault in a playground (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council:
- (i) apologise to Mr C for the failings identified;
- (ii) remind staff dealing with complaints of the importance of explaining how they have reached their decisions; and
- (iii) apologise to Mr C for not sending sooner the two documents he requested.