Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the actions of a social worker in producing a report for a court. The matters complained of are not separable from those that form part of the court process.

The complaint

1. Mr X said a social worker engaged in malfeasance and abuse of process in attempting to pervert the course of justice.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate a complaint about the start of court action or what happened in court. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5/5A, paragraph 1/3, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. The complaint copy Mr X sent us was a detailed refutation of the opinions a social worker recorded in a s.7 report for a court.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because the matters complained of are not separable from the content of a court report, which forms a part of court action.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman