Cumbria County Council (21 009 640)

Statement Upheld Adoption 02-Dec-2021

Summary: The Council has unreasonably delayed considering Mr B’s complaint at Stage 2 of the statutory procedure for children’s services complaints. It has agreed to initiate Stage 2 and to offer to make a payment to Mr B to reflect the delay and the uncertainty this has caused.

Cumbria County Council (21 009 926)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 19-Nov-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the disclosure of information. This is because we cannot achieve what the complainant wants.

Manchester City Council (21 008 500)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 16-Nov-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to reassess financial support for an adoptive parent, and its failure to provide mediation after the complainant informed the Council that the complainant and his ex-partner were separating in 2015. This is because the events happened too long ago, and I see no good reason to exercise discretion and investigate these matters now.

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (21 008 930)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 05-Nov-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to accept a complaint about a pre-adoption assessment because there is nothing significant to be gained by doing so.

Nottingham City Council (20 014 200)

Statement Upheld Adoption 01-Nov-2021

Summary: Mrs X complains that the Council refused to grant an adoption allowance for her adopted son, despite previously saying they would be entitled to it. She says this caused frustration, uncertainty, and stress. The Ombudsman finds the Council at fault for falsely raising Mrs X’s hopes. This caused injustice. The Ombudsman is satisfied that the Council has already remedied the injustice caused.

London Borough of Merton (20 013 681)

Statement Upheld Adoption 27-Oct-2021

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complained the Council delayed in how it responded to their request for financial support as adoptive parents. We find the Council was at fault. That has caused Mr and Mrs X avoidable distress and frustration. The Council has offered a financial remedy and to review its guidance on adoption allowances. We are satisfied this remedies the injustice caused.

Norfolk County Council (21 008 479)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 24-Oct-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s children’s services involvement with the care of the complainants son. This is because the matter is subject to court proceedings which are ongoing and will decide upon the care of the child.

London Borough of Southwark (21 007 623)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 18-Oct-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint about the management of her adoption application. This is because Council has accepted that it was at fault and the complaint investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (21 006 512)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 11-Oct-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about officers’ actions in relation to adoption processes. There are no good reasons the late complaint rule should not apply.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (21 007 120)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 07-Oct-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about fault in the way the Council considered a complaint about the end of a pre-adoption placement. This is because it is not a good use of public money to investigate complaint processes where the substantive matter does not warrant investigation.