Devon County Council (21 001 260)

Statement Upheld Child protection 14-Mar-2022

Summary: Miss C complained about the Council’s involvement with her after it started child protection proceedings against her. We find the Council was at fault for not inviting Miss C to a meeting. The Council has agreed to apologise to Miss C for the injustice caused by fault.

London Borough of Bromley (21 016 338)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 14-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a social worker’s court report and recommendations to the judge in family court proceedings because it lies outside our jurisdiction. The law prevents us from investigating matters that are being, or have been, considered in court proceedings. We have no discretion to do so.

Warrington Council (21 017 121)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 11-Mar-2022

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council’s social worker delayed providing evidence to a court dealing with his application for a child arrangement order and has not implemented a recent court direction to facilitate contact. The Ombudsman cannot lawfully investigate because the actions are part of court proceedings.

Birmingham City Council (21 016 530)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 11-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing to consider Mr X’s complaint. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s actions to warrant investigation.

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.

Derby City Council (21 015 529)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 11-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about delay in the statutory procedure for complaints about children’s services. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault and the injustice caused is not so significant as to warrant investigation.

Oxfordshire County Council (21 016 881)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 10-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the way the Council dealt with her complaint. This is because we will not investigate complaint handling as a standalone issue.

Essex County Council (20 012 291)

Statement Upheld Child protection 10-Mar-2022

Summary: Miss X complains about the Council’s actions in relation to her son’s special educational needs. She complains the Council failed to secure the provisions set out in his education, health, and care plan between 2018 and 2020. She also complains the Council failed to safeguard her son when she raised concerns about his school. We find fault with the Council for failing to secure all of Miss X’s son’s special educational provisions. We do not find fault with the Council’s actions in relation to safeguarding.

Durham County Council (21 007 905)

Statement Not upheld Friends and family carers 10-Mar-2022

Summary: Ms X cares for a child under a Child Arrangement Order. She complains about the Council’s decision to end her funding and says the Council fettered its discretion to continue providing the funding. Ms X says this has caused her distress. We do not find fault with the Council as there is no evidence it fettered its discretion.

Derbyshire County Council (21 016 249)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 10-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about events which happened 24 years ago. There are no good reasons the late complaint rule should not apply.