Kingston Upon Hull City Council (20 001 407)

Statement Not upheld Child protection 22-Dec-2020

Summary: Mr B complains about the actions of the Council’s Children’s Services. We have discontinued our investigation because it is unlikely we could add to the Council’s investigation or achieve a different outcome for Mr B.

Kent County Council (20 002 292)

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

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Children and Families assessment carried out by the Council’s children’s services. This is because we cannot add anything to the Council’s responses and cannot achieve the outcomes the complainant wants.

Milton Keynes Council (20 005 253)

Statement Upheld Child protection 21-Dec-2020

Summary: There was fault by the Council in how it dealt with Miss B’s housing situation and in the social worker’s assessment of the needs of the family. The Council was not clear about whether it had decided it owed a homelessness duty to her. There were confusing entries in the Council’s Child and Family Assessment, and the Council did not send a copy of this to Miss B until she asked for it. The shortcomings caused Miss B distress and frustration. The Council should apologise to her, amend its records, and share this decision with relevant staff.

Surrey County Council (19 016 746)

Statement Upheld Child protection 18-Dec-2020

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s response to her request for a change of social worker and other failings in the child protection process. We do not find the Council at fault in at first refusing a change of social worker, but there was some fault in the way it dealt with Ms X’s complaint about the matter. There was some delay in sending out minutes of at least one meeting. The Council has agreed to apologise to Ms X and a remind staff of relevant timescales.

Kingston Upon Hull City Council (20 002 527)

Statement Upheld Child protection 18-Dec-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman has completed its investigation. The Council has agreed to investigate Mr Y’s complaint through the statutory children’s complaints procedure in accordance with the Children Act and the statutory guidance.

Kent County Council (20 007 191)

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

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about an extended family member’s care arrangements, as the Court is currently considering this. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about an officer’s actions assigned to a child as Mr X does not have parental responsibility for the child involved.

Cheshire West & Chester Council (19 016 342)

Statement Upheld Child protection 17-Dec-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the outcome and timeliness of the Council’s safeguarding investigation into his actions as a carer. The Council was not at fault in how it carried out the safeguarding investigation. It was at fault for its communication and complaints handling. This caused Mr X unnecessary distress and uncertainty. To remedy this, the Council has agreed to make a payment to Mr X and to amend its complaints policy.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (19 020 471)

Report Upheld Child protection 17-Dec-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s handling of a children’s safeguarding enquiry and his subsequent complaint.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (19 016 692)

Statement Not upheld Child protection 16-Dec-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains about the Council’s decision to place all four of her and her wife, Mrs Y’s children on a child protection plan. She also complains the Council gave false information to her and her wife’s employers and lacked impartiality, favouring one child’s views over the wishes and feelings of the other three children. We cannot question the merits of the decisions the Council has made there is no evidence of fault.

Essex County Council (19 020 833)

Statement Upheld Child protection 16-Dec-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to deal with her safeguarding concerns about her grandchildren. The Council was at fault in delaying statutory visits and delaying or failing to conduct risk assessments. This caused Mrs X significant distress about the safety of her grandchildren. The Council will take action to remedy this injustice.