Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the disclosure of personal data relating to Mr X in Council documents. This is because there is another body better placed to consider.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about the Council’s disclosure of inaccurate personal information in safeguarding documents.
2. Mr X wants the Council to retrieve the shared information and issue an apology.

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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 another body better placed to consider this complaint. (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.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. We will not investigate this complaint because it concerns the alleged sharing and accuracy of personal information by the Council. These complaint matters are better addressed by the Information Commission, which is better placed, as the regulator for information rights, to consider concerns about data protection, information sharing, and the accuracy of recorded information.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X ’s complaint because there is another body better placed to investigate.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman