Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about the care and support provide to his disabled adult daughter. Mr X is not authorised by his daughter to complain on her behalf.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about the care and support provided to his disabled adult daughter, Ms Y.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We may investigate complaints made on behalf of someone else if they have given their consent. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26A(1), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I have considered comments and information from Mr X which includes the Council’s response to his complaint.

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What I found

5. In its response to Mr X’s complaint the Council confirmed Ms Y had withdrawn consent for her father to complain on her behalf and that she did not want the Council to communicate further with him about the matter. The Council also confirmed that Ms Y has capacity to make this decision.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate this complaint because Mr X does not have his daughter’s permission to complain on her behalf.

Investigator’s final decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman