Plymouth City Council (23 017 878)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 21-Mar-2024

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the actions of bias by a social worker and false information in reports. The matters Mr X complains of are closely related to the issue of who should have care of and contact with a child of the family. This issue has been subject to court action and the matters complained of could reasonably have been raised in court.

Essex County Council (23 017 205)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 19-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s communication with him regarding his child, Y, who is a looked after child. The Council has already apologised for delays in sending a report, and further investigation is unlikely to achieve a different outcome.

Durham County Council (23 016 477)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 15-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions in respect of the care of a child. This is because the substantive matters have been decided in court, or are closely related to those matters.

London Borough of Sutton (23 018 320)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 12-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint. This is because there is no sign of fault in the Council’s decision not to consider her complaint whilst there are ongoing court proceedings.

London Borough of Lewisham (23 015 287)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 11-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about children services’ actions. We have upheld Mr X’s complaint as the Council has now agreed to follow the Children Act statutory complaints’ procedure.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (23 015 754)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 08-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council social worker’s conduct when she was involved with Mr X during his time in care. This is because the complaint concerns events that took place more than 12 months ago and there is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate them now.

London Borough of Harrow (23 017 669)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 07-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint. This is because there is no sign of fault in the Council’s decision not to consider her complaint whilst there are ongoing court proceedings.

Bristol City Council (23 009 943)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 01-Mar-2024

Summary: Mr X complains the statutory complaints process failed to address the continuing injustice caused to him by the Councils failure to provide support to him as a Looked After Child. The Ombudsman finds fault with the Council for failing to provide reasonable remedies and recommendations following the conclusion of the stage three review panel. The Council has agreed to pay financial remedies, review Mr X’s circumstances, and provide further services to Mr X.

Cumberland Council (23 016 483)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 29-Feb-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this late complaint about poor care of Miss X as a looked-after child and when she left care. The matters complained of happened several years ago, and there is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate them now.

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (23 014 011)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 29-Feb-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council not adhering to court orders, and the actions of a specific Social Worker. There is an ongoing Social Work England investigation, and Mrs X is planning to take legal action against the Council. We consider those bodies are better placed to consider her complaints.