Hertfordshire County Council (22 012 585)

Statement Not upheld Fostering 30-Mar-2023

Summary: Mrs X complained that the Council have continued to fail to properly investigate her complaint about not being provided with enough guidance and support as a new foster carer. She said the investigation was not independent and no evidence was produced to support the Council’s findings. The Ombudsman does not find fault in the Council’s actions.

Norfolk County Council (22 016 316)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 26-Mar-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a future reduction in fostering payments to Mrs X. There is not enough evidence of fault to warrant investigation.

North East Lincolnshire Council (22 015 986)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 23-Mar-2023

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the accuracy of Council reports. We could not achieve a significantly different outcome than has already been offered.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (22 016 317)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 22-Mar-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about support in fostering and fostering payments before 2020. The complaint is late and there is no good reason to exercise the discretion available to investigate these matters now.

Buckinghamshire Council (22 012 757)

Statement Not upheld Fostering 16-Mar-2023

Summary: Mr D complains the Council has not properly investigated his complaint about a social worker’s assessment that led to his de-registration as a foster carer. There is no fault in the way the Council dealt with his complaint. I have ended my investigation as I cannot achieve anything further. This is because Mr D had an opportunity to challenge the assessment at the fostering panel and IRM. I cannot overturn their decisions and nor can I act as an appeal against the outcome of the assessment nor consider the professional conduct of social workers.

Dorset Council (22 009 463)

Statement Upheld Fostering 03-Mar-2023

Summary: The complainant, a foster carer, alleged that the Council wrongly removed her son from her care and failed over a prolonged period to consider properly her status as a foster carer. The Council investigated the complaint and found fault in the way it dealt with alleged child protection concerns. After an Ombudsman investigation, the Council agreed to refer the complainant to its Fostering Panel and the Council recently decided she should be allowed to continue as a foster carer subject to a further assessment and training. We have now considered the impact of the Council’s faults and recommended a way to remedy the injustice caused to the complainant.

Birmingham City Council (22 013 667)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 07-Feb-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the amount paid to Miss X as a foster carer for her grandchildren. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (22 011 709)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 13-Jan-2023

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the money she received for caring for family members as it is unlikely we could achieve more. And we cannot investigate the contact she now has with the children as that is subject to legal proceedings.

Kingston Upon Hull City Council (22 011 947)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 05-Jan-2023

Summary: We will cannot investigate this complaint about the care arrangements of the complainant’s grandchild. This is because this matter is now subject to court proceedings which places it outside of out jurisdiction.

Essex County Council (22 011 130)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 08-Dec-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to the complainant’s representations about the content of a report. This is because we can achieve nothing significant by doing so.