Nottinghamshire County Council (24 016 460)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 20-Mar-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Dr Y’s complaint the Council’s poor handling led to a failed adoption. We could not add to the Council’s investigation of these complaints under all three stages of the statutory complaints process. We cannot achieve the outcomes the complainant wants.

Devon County Council (24 018 719)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 14-Mar-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about problems in receiving contact letters on time via the letterbox service following her child’s adoption. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council to warrant an investigation.

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council (24 015 319)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 04-Mar-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions in the process of seeking the complainant’s daughter’s adoption. The key decisions have been, or will be, considered in court, and our intervention would not lead to a different outcome.

Staffordshire County Council (24 016 687)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 26-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the withdrawal of the complainant’s daughter’s entitlement to funded childcare. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault on the Council’s part to warrant investigation.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (24 001 973)

Statement Upheld Adoption 20-Jan-2025

Summary: X complained about how the Council dealt with their complaints concerning children’s and educational services for C. We found there was avoidable delay by the Council both in assessing C’s educational needs and issuing a final Education, Health and Care Plan and in its children’s statutory complaints procedure. The delays caused X and C avoidable distress and uncertainty, which the Council agreed to put right by sending them a written apology and making a symbolic financial payment.

West Northamptonshire Council (24 015 235)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 17-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this late complaint about the way the Council has dealt with Miss X’s niece since she was placed in care. We could not add to the Council’s response and the law prevents us from investigating anything that has happened in court.

Lancashire County Council (24 013 426)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 16-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to backdate adoption allowance for the complainant’s adopted daughter. This is because there is no evidence that the decision is flawed.

Lancashire County Council (23 018 745)

Statement Upheld Adoption 18-Dec-2024

Summary: Mrs B complained about the extent of support she had received over recent years from the Council, in meeting the needs of her adopted child. We upheld the complaint, finding the Council failed to provide some services, despite saying it would in response to a complaint and following assessments. This resulted in a loss of service and distress to Mrs B. The Council accepted these findings and agreed action to remedy this injustice, set out at the end of this statement.

Derby City Council (23 019 832)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 22-Nov-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing to add to its records that a court document about Miss X had incorrectly stated she had twice declined mother and baby placements. The Information Commissioner’s Office is better placed than us to deal with matters of alleged data inaccuracy as it has powers to require rectification and impose penalties that we lack.

London Borough of Enfield (24 004 921)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Adoption 05-Nov-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s involvement with Miss X’s child being removed from her care. The key decisions are for the courts, not just the Council. We cannot investigate the commencement or conduct of court action, or the court’s decision-making.