Middlesbrough Borough Council (20 009 730)

Statement Upheld Fostering 09-Jul-2021

Summary: The Council was at fault for failing to properly communicate its decision about Mr X’s Supported Lodging application. This left Mr X unsure about the Council’s decision making and caused him to complain. The Council has agreed to our recommendations to remedy the injustice caused.

West Berkshire Council (20 002 602)

Statement Upheld Fostering 08-Jul-2021

Summary: Mr B complained about the Council’s involvement with a foster child who was placed with his family. He considered there was a lack of support when there were problems with the behaviour of the child and the Council permanently removed the child without following the proper process or considering what was in the best interests of the child. He said this caused him and his family distress. There was fault by the Council. It will apologise and make a payment to Mr and Mrs B.

Swindon Borough Council (20 002 604)

Statement Upheld Fostering 08-Jul-2021

Summary: Mr B complained about the Council’s involvement in the child protection concerns raised as part of his, and his wife’s, role as foster carers. He considered the Council did not ensure the process was impartial and followed proper procedures. He considered the outcome was flawed as a result and that has caused distress to him and his wife and led to their decision to resign as foster carers. The Council failed to refer the complaint to stage three of the statutory complaint process but that did not cause significant injustice to Mr B.

Medway Council (20 006 989)

Statement Upheld Fostering 24-Jun-2021

Summary: Mr and Ms X complain that the Council failed to support them adequately as foster carers and wrongly removed children from their care. They also say the Council’s complaints handling and remedy offer is inadequate. The Council is at fault and has agreed to a stage 3 review of the complaints.

Wiltshire Council (21 000 922)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 15-Jun-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council left a foster child’s property in the complainants home for 18 months and that the Council unfairly deducted costs for school transport from her fostering allowance. This is because the events happened too long ago, and I see no reason why she could not have complained sooner.

Plymouth City Council (21 000 052)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 28-May-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council assessed the complainants suitability to continue as a foster carer. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault, and the complainant had the opportunity to challenge the contents of the assessment.

Telford & Wrekin Council (20 004 287)

Statement Upheld Fostering 25-May-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the way the Council managed a disruption meeting. We find fault by the Council which caused avoidable distress and uncertainty to Mr and Mrs X. The Council has already identified a number of service improvements and has agreed to apologise and make a financial payment to remedy the personal injustice caused to Mr and Mrs X.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council (20 014 135)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 17-May-2021

Summary: We cannot and will not investigate Miss X and Ms Y’s complaints about the Council’s children services actions. We cannot investigate actions and reports involved in legal proceedings and there is another body better placed to consider the accuracy of documents.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (20 006 869)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 13-May-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about the opinion of an NHS doctor. The actions of the NHS are not an administrative function of the Council.

London Borough of Ealing (20 009 341)

Statement Upheld Fostering 28-Apr-2021

Summary: Mrs X complains about the Council’s failure to consider her complaints under the statutory procedure for children social care services. The Council was at fault for suspending stage two and three complaint investigations because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has agreed to start the stage two statutory complaint investigation without delay.