Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (19 001 261)

Statement Upheld Fostering 20-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complain that the Council did not accept the findings and recommendations of the stage 3 independent review panel. She also says the stage 2 investigation was flawed because no attempt had been made to contact the police. The Ombudsman finds that there is insufficient evidence to justify the Council’s findings and it failed to follow due process. This caused Mr and Mrs X distress and uncertainty. To remedy the injustice caused the Ombudsman makes a number of recommendations.

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (19 010 797)

Statement Upheld Fostering 20-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complained that the Council contacted another local authority and shared false allegations about them. The Ombudsman finds no fault with the Council’s decision. However, there was fault in the way the information was shared. The Council has already taken reasonable steps to remedy this.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (19 018 704)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 20-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not and cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about inaccurate documents. We cannot investigate documents used in legal proceedings and the Information Commissioners Office is better placed to consider if the Council needs to amend its records.

London Borough of Haringey (19 006 704)

Statement Upheld Child protection 19-Mar-2020

Summary: Ms C complains, for her father Mr B, the Council did not respond to child protection concerns raised about his daughter, D. Ms C and Mr B are concerned this left D at risk of harm. The Council was at fault for failing to follow policy and keep accurate records. This has resulted in uncertainty for Mr B and Ms C about the ability of the Council to safeguard D. The Council will take action to remedy this injustice.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (19 018 191)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 19-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of matters relating to the complainant’s contact with his children. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault with the actions of the Council, and further investigation is unlikely to have a worthwhile outcome.

Essex County Council (19 019 523)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 19-Mar-2020

Summary: Miss X complains the Council have her employer false information which it is using in an employment tribunal and court case. The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint as it is outside his jurisdiction.

Coventry City Council (19 018 400)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 19-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms X’s complaint that the Council failed to act on concerns she raised about her children. Ms X has known about the complaint for more than 12 months and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to accept the complaint now.

Durham County Council (19 000 889)

Statement Upheld Friends and family carers 18-Mar-2020

Summary: Ms B complained the Council stopped her special guardianship allowance and this caused financial hardship. The Ombudsman has found fault with the Council. The Council did not provide Ms B with budgeting support and it did not record its reason for stopping the allowance adequately. The Ombudsman has recommended actions the Council will take to remedy this injustice.

Suffolk County Council (19 007 878)

Statement Upheld Other 18-Mar-2020

Summary: The complainant is concerned about the Council’s child protection actions in respect of her child. The Council has considered the complaint under the Children Act 1989 statutory complaint process. The Council has upheld some complaints and offered appropriate apologies and procedural changes. The Ombudsman does not consider that there are any outstanding complaints for him to consider. But he is concerned about the length of time taken to deal with the complaint. However, the Council has agreed the recommended action to remedy the avoidable distress caused to the complainant by this delay.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (19 008 331)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Friends and family carers 18-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman should not investigate Mr and Mrs J’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to provide special guardianship support. This is because Mr and Mrs J live in another council’s area, so we are unlikely to find fault.