Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (19 012 191)

Statement Not upheld Friends and family carers 29-Jul-2020

Summary: We have discontinued our investigation into Mr and
Mrs B’s complaint because the issues they complain about have not yet been fully addressed by the Council. The Council is currently considering its stage 2 response to their complaint, and it would be reasonable to allow it the opportunity to investigate and reply.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (19 006 778)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Friends and family carers 29-Jul-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Ms J’s complaint about the Council’s involvement with her family. We cannot investigate what happened in court. Other agencies are better placed to consider some of the issues raised, and it is unlikely we would find fault in those parts of the complaint not covered by this.

Surrey County Council (19 011 112)

Statement Upheld Friends and family carers 09-Jul-2020

Summary: Miss X complains about the way the Council handled her grandson’s special educational needs and her subsequent complaint. Miss X says this caused stress and distress, and took time and trouble. She says the lack of support has meant she and her husband are just existing. The Ombudsman finds fault causing Miss X injustice. The Ombudsman is satisfied with the action the Council has taken so far to remedy the injustice, but the Council has agreed to apologise and take further action to make sure there is no recurrence. The Ombudsman does not find fault for the part of Miss X’s complaint about the Council failing to arrange a stage three review of her complaint. The Ombudsman cannot investigate the part of Miss X’s complaint about delays issuing her grandson’s Education, Health and Care plan because it is premature.

London Borough of Bromley (19 002 478)

Statement Upheld Friends and family carers 06-Jul-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained about the way the Council dealt with her when she took on the care of her grandchildren. The Council failed to explain to her fully the basis of her agreement to look after the children. It has addressed her complaint about lack of financial support. There were other failings in communications. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a payment to recognise the impact of the poor communication.

Suffolk County Council (19 011 786)

Statement Upheld Friends and family carers 23-Jun-2020

Summary: Mrs F complains about some actions taken and records kept by the Council when she acted as a kinship foster carer. We uphold her complaint finding fault in the Council’s communications when it began child protection enquiries and in its complaint handling. Its actions caused Mrs F avoidable distress, frustration, time and trouble. At the end of this statement we set out actions the Council has agreed to remedy this injustice.

Kingston Upon Hull City Council (19 020 661)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Friends and family carers 30-Apr-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about children services actions. There is nothing significant we could add to the Council’s response to his complaint.