Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment for alcohol support services. This is because in response to the complaint the Council admitted fault and offered the services. Therefore there is insufficient injustice to warrant further investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains on behalf of his son, Mr Y. He complained the Council gave Mr Y incorrect information on the services available, including the prescribing of medication, when he contacted alcohol support services and they carried out an initial assessment.
2. He says this has meant Mr Y has missed out on support to reduce his alcohol intake and he is concerned about the impact this will have on Mr Y’s health.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. In response to the complaint the Council accepted fault and offered Mr Y alcohol reduction services. Mr Y declined the offer stating he did not feel comfortable with the Council’s confidentiality policy. Mr Y has access to the service if he wishes to use it and therefore there is insufficient injustice to warrant our involvement.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of injustice.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman