Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about adult social care, and the support for a carer. This is because it is a late complaint with no good reasons why the complaint could not have been raised sooner.

The complaint

1. Ms B says the Council has failed to meet her needs as a carer following an independent social work assessment. Ms B says this causes financial loss, harm and distress.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
5. I sent a draft of this decision, so Ms B had an opportunity to comment.

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My assessment

6. The Council arranged an independent social worker to complete an assessment of Ms B’s relative’s adult social care needs and Ms B’s needs as a carer. The assessment was completed in October 2023. Ms B complains the Council has not followed the recommendations of the assessment. Ms B has known of her concerns for more than 12 months before complaining to the Ombudsman. Ms B has given no good reasons why she could not complain sooner.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Ms B’s complaint because Ms B has made the complaint late and given no good reasons why she could not have complained sooner. I have given Ms B enough opportunity to provide her reasons.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman