North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (21 003 189)

Statement Upheld Fostering 29-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to properly advise him about the care options or financial support available when it placed his nephew with him. Mr X complained he did not receive the correct allowances or fostering fees which caused him financial difficulties. The Council’s failure to provide Mr X with sufficient information to enable him to make an informed decision regarding the SGO and the support he would receive amounts to fault. This fault has caused Mr X a significant injustice.

Hertfordshire County Council (21 003 937)

Statement Upheld Fostering 23-Mar-2022

Summary: The complainants, foster carers, complained that the Council failed to understand their concerns about Covid-19 when insisting that they send the foster children to school prior to the second lockdown in December 2020. The complainants also considered the Council raised unfounded allegations about them as part of its complaint investigation. We find fault in some aspects of the Council’s approach and the Council has agreed a way to remedy the injustice. We are therefore closing the complaint.

Birmingham City Council (21 017 645)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 22-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to provide evidence Ms X asked for. The information Commissioner’s Office is better placed to consider this matter.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (21 007 095)

Statement Upheld Fostering 18-Mar-2022

Summary: Mrs T complained about the Council’s handling of an investigation into allegations made against her as a foster carer. The Council failed to properly investigate the allegations and consider Mrs T’s complaint about the matter. The Council agreed to apologise to Mrs T and pay her £450 to recognise the distress and time and trouble caused to her.

Kingston Upon Hull City Council (21 005 838)

Statement Upheld Fostering 11-Mar-2022

Summary: The Council was at fault when it unnecessarily delayed and poorly handled its investigation into an allegation that Mr X had abused his foster child. The investigation found the allegation to be unsubstantiated. Mr X said the Council’s actions caused him and his family avoidable distress. We have found fault leading to injustice and recommended a financial remedy and service improvements.

London Borough of Croydon (21 016 510)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 04-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this late complaint about Miss X’s time in foster care in the early 1990s. There is no good reason to exercise discretion to do so.

Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council (21 005 508)

Statement Upheld Fostering 15-Feb-2022

Summary: Ms D complained the Council failed to follow the correct procedures when it removed a foster child from her care. She says the Council made a flawed decision and it failed to communicate with her and her family. We find the Council was at fault for its lack of transparency and its communication with Ms D. The Council has agreed to our recommendations to address the injustice caused.

Milton Keynes Council (21 008 019)

Statement Upheld Fostering 08-Feb-2022

Summary: Ms X complains that the Council failed to deal properly with her complaint about the way it treated her as a foster carer, and failed to provide an adequate remedy for her. We find there was fault by the Council. It has already recognised some fault but it has not provided an adequate remedy. The Council has agreed to make a payment in addition to the action it has already taken.

City of York Council (21 014 961)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 04-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about recognition of parental responsibility after an adoption overseas. Mr X and his wife have a right to go to court to establish the status of an adopted child it would be reasonable to use.

Lancashire County Council (21 000 747)

Statement Upheld Fostering 03-Feb-2022

Summary: The Council was not at fault for how it dealt with Mr B’s concerns about a foster child in his care, or for how it conducted his exit interview after he resigned as a foster carer. It was, however, at fault for how it dealt with his complaint. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mr B.