Swindon Borough Council (19 008 428)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 29-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s 2017 assessment of his family and how it has dealt with his complaints. The Family Court is considering an application from Mr X regarding the welfare of his children. Mr X may complain to the Council again at the end of the legal proceedings.

Lancashire County Council (19 010 562)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 23-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss A’s allegation that the Council produced flawed assessments during its involvement with her family. This is because it concerns matters which have been, or could have been, considered in court.

East Sussex County Council (19 011 172)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 22-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s response to his Subject Access Request. This is because the Information Commissioner’s Office is the appropriate body to consider his concerns.

Leeds City Council (19 008 569)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 22-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about data protection issues. It is reasonable to expect Ms X to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office which is better placed to consider her complaint.

Hartlepool Borough Council (19 009 396)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 21-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about her social workers and matters relating to her child. It lies outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction because it is made in relation to matters that have been considered in court proceedings.

Surrey County Council (19 009 992)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 21-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint about the complainant’s children because the matters have been considered in court.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (19 009 884)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 20-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr and Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s assessment and report for court regarding their grandchild and its complaint handling. The Council’s assessment is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction being part of court proceedings. The Council has apologised for the fault in the complaint handling.

London Borough of Hackney (18 017 259)

Statement Upheld Other 19-Nov-2019

Summary: Ms J complains the Council failed to tell her an assessment it planned to carry out was not mandatory. There is evidence of fault in the way the Council carried out the assessment and how it investigated Ms J’s complaints following this. The Council is asked to re-offer a payment to Ms J to acknowledge the time, trouble and distress it caused her. It is also asked to make procedural changes.

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (18 006 248)

Statement Upheld Other 15-Nov-2019

Summary: the Health and Care Professions Council found the social worker dealing with Ms X and her children in 2015 breached standards of conduct, performance and ethics, and his actions put Ms X at risk of harm. The Council has apologised and offered a payment of £1,000. I consider this a satisfactory response.

Plymouth City Council (19 005 661)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 14-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms B’s complaint. Most of the issues she raises are too old, have been before a court, or are currently before a court. The Council has not yet had the opportunity to respond to the remaining complaint.