London Borough of Bromley (19 014 754)

Statement Upheld Other 14-Dec-2020

Summary: We upheld Miss B’s complaint about how the Council handled her complaint about children’s social care. The Council took 66 weeks longer than it should have to respond to her complaint. This caused frustration and uncertainty for Miss B. To remedy the injustice caused, the Council agreed to explain to Miss B what service improvements it has made, make a payment to recognise the impact of the faults identified, and arrange more training for staff.

Durham County Council (20 001 887)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 14-Dec-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint about the contents of the Council’s court reports because it lies outside his jurisdiction. The law prevents the Ombudsman from investigating matters that have been considered in court proceedings.

North Yorkshire County Council (20 007 317)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 12-Dec-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that the Council was late in providing him with a copy of an assessment. This is because investigation could not establish that fault on the Council’s part caused the injustice Mr B claims.

Gloucestershire County Council (20 007 642)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 11-Dec-2020

Summary: We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint about a report the Council wrote for court. This is because the law prevents us from considering what happened in court.

Derbyshire County Council (19 015 368)

Statement Upheld Other 09-Dec-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the way allegations about him were investigated. We found there was fault by the Council as the progress of the matter was not reviewed as often as it should have been. The Council should also have responded more appropriately to Mr X’s complaint. The Council should apologise to Mr X for this and review its procedures.

Essex County Council (20 007 988)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 08-Dec-2020

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council’s report and information to the family court is flawed. We cannot investigate actions which relate to court proceedings.

Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council (20 000 800)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 08-Dec-2020

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council handled events around court proceedings related to his child. The substantive parts of his complaint are out of our jurisdiction because they are about decisions made by the court and the Council’s reports to court. We cannot achieve the outcomes Mr X seeks.

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council (20 006 294)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 07-Dec-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the way the Council responded to his request for information. It is unlikely we could find any Council fault which could cause him a direct injustice.

London Borough of Lambeth (20 006 363)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 07-Dec-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has failed to arrange a psychiatric assessment. He has recently appointed solicitors to handle a redress application to which this relates and it is reasonable to expect that process to continue.

West Sussex County Council (19 012 578)

Statement Upheld Other 07-Dec-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council handled a safeguarding referral about his children and his complaints about this. There was no delay or clear evidence of bias in the Council’s handling. There was fault in the Council’s approach to Mr X’s complaints and it has agreed to take steps to remedy the distress and uncertainty caused to him and his family, and the avoidable time and trouble Mr X spent in making his complaints.