Ombudsman Michael King said the council’s policies did not meet statutory guidelines after a father complained he was not allowed to give verbal evidence at his child’s hearing.
The man was appealing Coventry's decision not to give his child free school transport when he was told he could only make a written submission.
An investigation by the ombudsman found the council did not allow parents the chance to make verbal representations at the appeal panel stage, and instead would only consider written evidence.
This left the man not knowing whether being able to attend the hearing would have made a difference to his child’s case, King said.
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