Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council caused the loss of Mr X’s belongings after he was evicted. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains his social worker did not ensure his television and other possessions were collected from his property after he was evicted.
2. Mr X says the Council caused him distress and a financial loss and is seeking a remedy in recognition of this.

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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 there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating or there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation.

(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. Mr X complained his social worker did not do enough to ensure his new television and other belongings were collected four months after he was evicted.
7. The Council although Mr X’s social worker agreed to collect Mr X’s belongings from his old property, it said the television was not at the property when the social worker attended and the landlord said it had since been taken.
8. We do not have any evidence or reason to believe the Council is responsible for the loss of the television or any other belongings after Mr X was evicted.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence the Council is at fault to justify an investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman