Kent County Council (19 007 675)

Statement Upheld Child protection 20-Feb-2020

Summary: The Council did not tell Mr X and his wife that a pre-birth plan stipulated he was not allowed to stay in hospital with his wife after his child was born which caused considerable distress. The Council has already apologised and taken steps to address the issue with the officer involved, which is an appropriate response for the injustice caused. The Ombudsman makes no further recommendation to remedy the fault.

Staffordshire County Council (18 007 396)

Statement Upheld Child protection 19-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs B complained about how the Council handled child protection issues relating to her daughter. The Council did not invite Mrs B to a child in need meeting and did not provide her with the minutes of that meeting. The Council’s apology and reminder to officers is satisfactory remedy for the injustice caused.

Herefordshire Council (19 006 691)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 19-Feb-2020

Summary: The Council failed to provide Miss X’s son with appropriate levels of care and support whilst he was in the Council’s care. The Council identified this during its investigation of Miss X’s complaint but failed to provide a remedy for the injustice this caused. The Council should pay Miss X £1500 to recognise the distress caused and her time and trouble pursuing this complaint. The Council should also pay Miss X’s son £1000 to recognise the uncertainty he has been caused.

Durham County Council (19 016 879)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 19-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s involvement with her family. This is because we cannot investigate matters which have been considered or decided in court.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (19 015 610)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 19-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the loss of some of the complainant’s belongings. This is because the complaint is made late, and there are no good reasons to consider it now. Additionally a complaint about a Subject Access Request (SAR) is better considered by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Lancashire County Council (19 015 871)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 19-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint the Council lied in court reports to place her child into care. This is because the complaint concerns a decision made by the court.

Kent County Council (19 014 869)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s court report and the actions of its social worker. It is outside jurisdiction due to court proceedings. The Council has agreed to deal further with the second complaint about how an incident at a school, involving Mr X’s son, was investigated.

Essex County Council (19 015 314)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s involvement with his family and the actions of a social worker linked to a Special Guardianship Order. The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. This is because it is reasonable for Mr X to raise his concerns in court, and we cannot consider complaints about ongoing court action.

London Borough of Bromley (19 016 086)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 18-Feb-2020

Summary: Miss X complained about how the Council dealt with her daughter’s allegations against a family member. We should not investigate this complaint as it is unlikely we could add to the Council’s investigation or recommend a further remedy.

Kent County Council (19 005 075)

Statement Not upheld Adoption 17-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X and Ms Y complained the Council did not provide appropriate support when two children were placed with them on an adoption placement. They said the lack of support led to the failure of the placement. They also said the Council’s complaint investigation was flawed. There was no fault in how the Council considered their complaint under the children’s statutory complaints procedure. As it appropriately considered the complaint, the Ombudsman will not re-investigate.