Swindon Borough Council (21 000 578)

Statement Upheld Adoption 08-Jun-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s adoption support for her family. The remedy offered by the Council is suitable for the injustice caused by fault in matters that are within our jurisdiction. We cannot investigate other matters, as they are ones it would have been reasonable for Mrs X to raise when she took court action.

City of Wolverhampton Council (19 011 134)

Report Upheld Adoption 03-Jun-2021

Summary: The complainant, who we shall refer to as Miss B, complained the Council declined her request to register as a potential adopter.

West Sussex County Council (20 014 247)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 24-May-2021

Summary: We cannot and should not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s children services caring of his child and attitude towards his family. The Court is currently considering the child’s care and welfare and we cannot investigate the same issues. It is not appropriate to investigate any separable issues during the Court proceedings.

Cheshire West & Chester Council (20 009 704)

Statement Upheld Adoption 12-May-2021

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complained about a lack of support from the Council leading up to and following an adoption breakdown. They are unhappy the Council has refused to investigate their complaint at stage two of the statutory complaints procedure. The Council’s refusal to consider their complaint at stage two of the statutory complaint procedure is fault. This denied Mr and Mrs X the opportunity for independent oversight of their complaint.

London Borough of Newham (19 007 558)

Statement Upheld Adoption 30-Apr-2021

Summary: Mrs J says the Council failed to provide her with important information about her adopted children prior to adoption. She says this caused her and her adoptive children injustice as they did not receive vital support. The Council has lost most of the relevant evidence and failed to keep documents it was required to keep but, on the available evidence, the Council was not at fault for withholding information from Mrs J. The Council has agreed to pay a sum to Mrs J and her adoptive children in recognition of the injustice caused.

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council (20 013 296)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 27-Apr-2021

Summary: We cannot and will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about delays in a step parent adoption assessment. We cannot investigate the Council’s production of reports for Court proceedings. And there is no significant injustice or fault by the Council’s conduct needing a further remedy, than the apologies already given.

Plymouth City Council (20 004 628)

Statement Not upheld Adoption 15-Apr-2021

Summary: Mr and Mrs B complained that the Council incorrectly calculated their adoption support allowance by including their child’s Employment and Support Allowance in the calculation. We find no fault in the Council’s decision to include ESA in the calculation.