Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about safeguarding concerns. The alleged abuse and neglect started in 2017. We should not investigate complaints where the alleged fault took place over 12 months ago.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complained the Council did not do enough to safeguard her mother. Mrs X’s mother wanted to stay in her own home after she was discharged from hospital. Mrs X said the Council would not adapt her late mother’s home and moved her into a care home. Mrs X said her mother suffered from abuse and neglect in the care home.

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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.

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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the law says we cannot consider matters over 12 months old.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman