Summary

Complaint from a woman that the council failed to investigate allegations by her adopted children that a foster carer smacked them.

The complaint

Complaint from a woman that the council failed to investigate allegations by her adopted children that a foster carer smacked them. She also complains that the council did not make sure that the carer passed on the children's belongings and that it failed to provide therapy recommended by a psychologist for one of the children. The woman complained to the council but it did not progress her complaint to stage two of its complaints procedure.

Finding

The Ombudsman upheld the complaint and found fault causing injustice.

Recommendations

We recommend that the council:

• apologise to the women for its failings;
• having accepted a therapist's recommendation it should agree a clear plan for how it will interview the children as a matter of urgency;
• remind staff that it must adhere to its managing allegations procedures;
• ensure that it progresses complaints to stage two of the process without delay;
• review how it investigates allegations in this case and in general so that it has a clear view of how it applies its policy and where it should improve. The review should also consider the council's policy, its application in this case, liaison between teams and file management;
• pay the woman £250 in recognition of the frustration and distress the council's failings have caused her; and
• pay £200 in respect of each child in recognition of the distress caused by its failure to ensure that the carer passed on their important belongings. It should also review its practice to ensure it is clear with foster carers about the importance of keeping photographs and significant belongings safe, and passing these on with the children.

 

 

 

Ombudsman satisfied with council's response: 7 January 2016

Print this page