Cambridgeshire County Council (19 009 751)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 13-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint about information included in a report presented to the court regarding the care of the complainant’s grandchild. This is because the law prevents the Ombudsman from investigating any matter that forms part of legal proceedings.

Derbyshire County Council (18 013 904)

Statement Upheld Other 12-Nov-2019

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council was at fault in the way it responded to her request for help with issues concerning her daughter, Z. She says this caused the family prolonged stress and meant they had to pay for private assessments of Z. The worker arrived at her views without procedural fault. However, one piece of advice was unwise, and the Council took too long to deal with Mrs X’s complaint. Its apologies are sufficient.

North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (19 009 213)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 11-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the complainant’s wish to have contact with his grandchild. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. In addition, the Ombudsman cannot achieve the outcome the complainant wants. The complainant would need to take the matter to court.

Slough Borough Council (19 010 056)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 11-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the content of a Section 7 report and the conduct of the social workers who produced it. This is because it is reasonable for Mr X to raise his concerns in court.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (18 005 804)

Report Upheld Other 11-Nov-2019

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council has placed her & her son who we shall call Y in inappropriate accommodation for the past five years and has failed to provide her with proper support. Mrs X says the Council has refused to allow her representative to attend meetings and will not allow her to stay away from the accommodation.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (19 001 792)

Statement Not upheld Other 06-Nov-2019

Summary: Miss X complains about the decision to remove her daughter for a week and place her with her maternal grandmother. She says this disrupted her daughter’s normal routine and caused them both considerable distress. The Council acted following another report of Miss X’s daughter witnessing domestic abuse. The Council acted appropriately to safeguard the child and there is no fault in its actions.

West Sussex County Council (18 016 897)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 05-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about information processing. The Information Commissioner’s Office is better placed to do so. And it is unlikely we would find fault or significant injustice to Miss X by the Council’s decision to restrict her contact with it.

Nottinghamshire County Council (19 003 106)

Statement Upheld Other 01-Nov-2019

Summary: There was fault in the way the Council investigated allegations against Mr X. The Council offered a financial remedy, but Mr X feels the Council should offer more. The Council should offer additional financial remedy to recognise the significant and prolonged period of distress. The Ombudsman is not able to assess Mr X’s claim for reduced earnings.

Birmingham City Council (19 005 715)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 29-Oct-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the accuracy of information produced by the Council which he says led to him not having contact with his children. This is because the Ombudsman has already considered this matter and we will not reinvestigate matters which have already been subject to an investigation. Mr X’s complaint about how the same information from the Council has recently been used is outside our jurisdiction because it relates to matters discussed in court.

South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (19 009 212)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 26-Oct-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr A’s complaint that the Council has refused to remove or amend false information it holds about him. This is because he has brought his concerns to the attention of the Information Commissioner, which is the appropriate body to consider them.