London Borough of Lambeth (25 024 325)
Category : Adult care services > Safeguarding
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 27 Jul 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about events relating to Ms X’s relative. The complaint is late.
The complaint
- Ms X complained about various matters relating to her relative and how the Council used her data in 2024.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- The matters Ms X complains about took place two years ago in July 2024. I can see no good reason why she did not complain to us sooner. Therefore, we will not investigate this complaint.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is late.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman