Child protection

Redcar & Cleveland Council (18 000 501)

Statement Not upheld Child protection 15-Jul-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman finds no evidence of fault by the Council in its consideration of a safeguarding concern regarding Mrs X's children.

Wiltshire Council (17 015 786)

Statement Upheld Child protection 11-Jul-2019

Summary: Ms B complained about the way in which the Council dealt with issues of abuse in her family and subsequent provision of support since 2015, causing her severe distress and practical difficulties. We found the Council delayed in acting effectively when the first incident between the children occurred in December 2015. It then delayed for over two years in providing specialist support for Ms B's daughter. The Council has agreed to continue to fund therapy for Ms B and D, to provide some family mediation therapy and to provide a holiday for the whole family along with community activities for D.

Lancashire County Council (18 014 875)

Statement Not upheld Child protection 10-Jul-2019

Summary: Mr F complains the Council has refused to consider his complaint about his dealings with the Council in connection with concerns for the welfare of his children. Having considered the circumstances of the case, I am satisfied with the Council's decision.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (18 012 544)

Statement Upheld Child protection 09-Jul-2019

Summary: Ms X complained that despite findings in her favour in her complaint about children's social care services, the Council has not provided an adequate remedy. She says the Council has not done enough to recognise the impact on her and her family of the failings in the service. It is not possible for the Ombudsman to say the faults found were the cause of the distress she experienced through the break-up of her family. The Council has agreed a remedy for the uncertainty of not knowing what difference the faults might have made.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (18 001 679)

Statement Upheld Child protection 08-Jul-2019

Summary: there is fault by the Council in relation to the delay in responding to Mr F's complaint between July and October 2018 and the Council should apologise to Mr F for this. I do not consider there is fault in relation to Mr F's complaint that the Council discriminated against him on the grounds of his mental ill health.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (18 010 825)

Statement Not upheld Child protection 04-Jul-2019

Summary: The Council is currently dealing with Ms X's complaint at stage 2 of the statutory children's complaints process. Therefore I have discontinued my investigation into this complaint.

Coventry City Council (18 014 987)

Statement Not upheld Child protection 02-Jul-2019

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to take any action after a social worker held her wrists. She said the case records do not reflect what happened and the Council's complaint process failed to consider her views. The Council was not at fault.

Worcestershire County Council (18 014 886)

Statement Upheld Child protection 01-Jul-2019

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council took his children to their maternal grandmother's home in breach of a court order. He also complains that there were delays in the Council's handling of his complaint. He says this caused him stress and depression, and cost him legal fees and time off work. He says it also caused a breakdown in the family relationship. A court has already decided there was no breach of the court order, so the Ombudsman cannot look at this part of Mr X's complaint. The Ombudsman finds fault with the Council for failing to act on a part of the Investigating Officer's recommendations, for failing to send a letter within the timescale the Council set out, and for delays in handling Mr X's complaint. The Ombudsman is satisfied with the action the Council has taken so far to remedy the injustice, but the Council will also apologise to Mr X for the delay in sending the letter.

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (18 017 303)

Statement Not upheld Child protection 25-Jun-2019

Summary: Miss J complained the Council failed to offer her appropriate support when she tried to contest adoption proceedings about her children. The substantive issues have been to court, which puts them outside of the Ombudsman's jurisdiction while other issues could have been raised in court. The Council is not at fault for Miss J being unable to obtain Legal Aid.

Norfolk County Council (18 009 566)

Statement Not upheld Child protection 19-Jun-2019

Summary: Ms X complained the Council prevented her from having adequate contact with her grandchildren from June 2017. There was no fault in the Council's actions.