Kent County Council (24 004 906)

Statement Not upheld Safeguarding 04-Mar-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s safeguarding investigation into concerns about his mother and the Council’s delay in providing an advocate for him. He said this caused him significant frustration, distress and uncertainty with his own vulnerabilities. We did not find the Council at fault.

Suffolk County Council (24 016 640)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Safeguarding 27-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about matters arising from Ms X’s concerns about the care provision to her relative, Mrs Y. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. It is too early for us to get involved as the safeguarding investigation has only just concluded and the complainant’s remaining concerns are still being investigated.

Surrey County Council (24 004 866)

Statement Upheld Safeguarding 26-Feb-2025

Summary: Dr Y complained the Council failed to provide services to her father in the weeks before he died. She says the lack of support from the Council caused him to suffer unnecessarily. Dr Y also complained about the communication the Council maintained with her family after her father’s death, and its record keeping. We found fault with some actions of the Council. The Council apologised for this fault. This was an appropriate remedy for the injustice caused.

London Borough of Havering (24 003 386)

Statement Upheld Safeguarding 25-Feb-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council and its commissioned care provider failed to deliver proper care and support for her relative’s needs or finances before they passed away, affecting their wellbeing. The Council accepted fault and waived half of the outstanding care fees. The Council agreed to our additional recommendations to apologise to Mrs X and make a symbolic payment to recognise her outstanding injustice of frustration and uncertainty.

London Borough of Bromley (24 015 347)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Safeguarding 24-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council failing to provide the complainant with safeguarding and social care support. This is because the Council has agreed to resist the issues and conduct another assessment with Ms Q which it will use to inform what action to take going forward. It is unlikely that further investigation of the issues would lead to a different outcome.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (24 017 321)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Safeguarding 24-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint. This is because, in relation to some parts of the complaint, an investigation would be unlikely to achieve the outcomes Miss X is seeking. The other parts of the complaint are not ready for our consideration as work is ongoing locally to review Miss X’s care and support needs.

Southampton City Council (24 014 955)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Safeguarding 21-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of safeguarding concerns relating to her mother, Mrs Y. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

London Borough of Croydon (24 016 203)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Safeguarding 21-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to investigate her safeguarding complaints in full. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. Mrs X has made her complaint late outside of our usual 12 month time limit for accepting complaints. I see no good reason for us to investigate now.

Dorset Council (24 015 564)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Safeguarding 19-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s responses to Mr X’s concerns about his sibling’s role as an attorney for his parent. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. We are unlikely to find evidence of fault in the Council’s recent actions and we will not investigate historic matters as these are caught by the time bar on the Ombudsman’s powers.

Lancashire County Council (24 003 626)

Statement Not upheld Safeguarding 14-Feb-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to safeguard Miss Y from financial abuse, and a social worker inappropriately talked Miss Y out of appointing a Lasting Power of Attorney for her finances. Mrs X also complained Miss Y’s care provider did not provide the support detailed in her care plan. We did not find fault in the support Miss Y received from her social worker and care provider. We discontinued our investigation into how the Council safeguarded Miss Y from financial abuse.