Staffordshire County Council (19 018 958)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled children 25-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint that the complainant’s child does not qualify for a Blue Badge. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Middlesbrough Borough Council (19 011 462)

Statement Not upheld Other 24-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complained the Council did not comply with a court order about contact with his son, care planning meetings and expert recommendations. I have discontinued my investigation because the matter is due to go back before the Court. Mr X’s complaint can be re-opened if he remains unhappy once the outcome is known.

Hertfordshire County Council (19 012 768)

Statement Upheld Disabled children 24-Mar-2020

Summary: Ms X complains the Council failed to deal properly with her complaint about its decision to cut the care package for her two sons. The Council has failed to use the statutory complaints procedure for children’s social care, which appears to be a systemic issue. It will escalate Ms X’s complaint to the second investigative stage of the procedure.

Northamptonshire County Council (19 001 900)

Statement Upheld Child protection 24-Mar-2020

Summary: Ms B complains about lack of support for herself and her grandchildren when they went to live with her after the Council obtained an interim care order. The Council carried out an independent investigation which found significant fault and took action to remedy the injustice caused. Ms B believes the remedy is inadequate. The Council has agreed to make additional payment.

Herefordshire Council (18 016 405)

Statement Upheld Friends and family carers 23-Mar-2020

Summary: The Council was at fault for backdating Mrs X’s special guardianship allowance to the date it completed a delayed financial assessment, rather than the date she asked for support – five months before the assessment. It was also at fault for a delay in applying for therapeutic funding for Mrs X’s niece. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mrs X’s niece for the delay, and to make a payment of £200 to recognise her injustice. It has also agreed to backdate
Mrs X’s special guardianship allowance to the date she first asked for support.

London Borough of Lambeth (19 004 604)

Statement Not upheld Friends and family carers 23-Mar-2020

Summary: Ms X complains the Council was at fault in how it reviewed her financial support as a Special Guardian and reduced her allowance. The Ombudsman has found no evidence of fault in the way the Council considered these matters so is completing his investigation.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (19 019 553)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 23-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr Z’s complaint about the lack of support from the Council following his adoption of his son. This is because the complaint is late and there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council causing Mr Z injustice, so investigation is not warranted.

Brighton & Hove City Council (19 018 894)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled children 23-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about a Blue Badge for the complainant’s son because the Council has offered a fair remedy.

London Borough of Harrow (19 018 658)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 23-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the conduct of the Council in relation to the special guardianship of a child. Mrs X did not complain to us within 12 months of knowing about the problem and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to accept the complaint now.

Buckinghamshire County Council (19 018 644)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 21-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Miss B’s complaint that the Council removed her daughters from her care on the basis of false allegations. This is because the complaint concerns a decision made in court.