Durham County Council (24 002 292)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 21-May-2024

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X complaint about a decision to allow an adoption because the Court made the decision.

Middlesbrough Borough Council (22 016 808)

Statement Upheld Adoption 08-May-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council has considered post adoption support payments. The Council has accepted it has underpaid the complainant. It has agreed to back pay the financial support owed. Further investigation by the Ombudsman would not lead to a different outcome.

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council (23 019 905)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 02-May-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to make Mr X’s child subject to a child protection plan and the Council’s safeguarding involvement with Mr X’s family. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (23 018 871)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 25-Apr-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to stop Mrs X’s adoption allowance. This is because it is late.

Devon County Council (23 019 647)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 21-Apr-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s communication after Mr B and his partner adopted a child. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council or that Mr B has suffered a significant personal injustice. Also, we could not achieve anything worthwhile by investigating.

Kent County Council (23 011 059)

Statement Upheld Adoption 13-Mar-2024

Summary: Mr B says the Council failed to process a request for life story work and information about his daughter’s birth parents. The Council delayed taking action and failed to properly consider the regulations and statutory guidance. An apology, payment to Mr B and his daughter and arranging a meeting to discuss who will take forward the life story work is satisfactory remedy.

Leicestershire County Council (23 013 862)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 19-Jan-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council social worker’s alleged misconduct. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to result in a worthwhile outcome.

Surrey County Council (23 004 581)

Statement Upheld Adoption 12-Jan-2024

Summary: Mr X complains about several issues concerning how the Council responded to his request for some post adoption support. He complains about several delays, the support proposed, advice given and the Council’s refusal to fund some of the family’s costs. The Ombudsman’s decision is there was fault with some delays and with not responding to Mr X’s complaint through the statutory children’s complaint procedure. The Council has agreed to our recommendations to remedy the injustice caused to Mr X and his family. But we cannot question the merits of the professional assessment, or the proposed therapy that was commissioned from that assessment.

Bath and North East Somerset Council (23 013 444)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 10-Jan-2024

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions leading to a decision to place Miss X’s child for adoption. This matter is not separable from the question of where and with whom the child should live, which only a court can decide.

Buckinghamshire Council (23 013 081)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 09-Jan-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about children services’ actions nearly 30 years ago. It is unlikely our investigation could reach a fair and robust decision.