Summary: We will not investigate X’s complaint that the Council failed to safeguard their sister. This is because the complaint is made late and I see no good reason to investigate it now.

The complaint

1. X complains that the Council failed to safeguard their sibling’s death in 2018.

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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.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. I will not investigate X’s complaint because they have been aware of the issues raised for several years and I see no good reason why they could not have complained to the Ombudsman sooner.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate X’s complaint because it is made late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman