Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (24 009 485)

Statement Not upheld Child protection 24-Jun-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to safeguard her children; failed to provide appropriate respite and failed to provide an appropriate remedy for the complaints it upheld. I find no fault in respect of the safeguarding or respite and consider the remedy provided is in line with the amounts normally recommended by the Ombudsman.

Devon County Council (24 010 136)

Statement Upheld Child protection 24-Jun-2025

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council did not deal with a child protection issue properly, resulting in avoidable distress. The Council is at fault because it failed to deal with a child protection issue and took too long to investigate. Mrs X and her family suffered delay and avoidable distress. The Council should pay Mrs X £500 for time and trouble, pay Mrs X £2000 for avoidable distress and re-issue its final written response to the investigation.

London Borough of Barnet (24 021 065)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 24-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Miss X’s time in Council care between 2016 and 2021. While it is understandable that she has not complained sooner, we would be unlikely to be able to conduct a robust investigation or achieve a worthwhile outcome.

Blackpool Borough Council (24 023 163)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 24-Jun-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about how a Council has exercised its safeguarding duties. The law says we cannot investigate a complaint about the start of court action or what happened in court.

Redcar & Cleveland Council (25 000 290)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 24-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the actions of a social worker and the response of Children’s Social Care. This is because it is unlikely investigation by us would lead to a different outcome.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (24 016 264)

Statement Upheld Child protection 23-Jun-2025

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to plan and provide support for her child, Y, when they reached adulthood and was due to leave Council care. The Council investigated Ms X's complaints under the statutory children’s complaints procedure without fault. However, it failed to provide an appropriate remedy to recognise the injustice the faults caused to Y, Ms X and Z (Ms X’s other child). The Council agreed to make symbolic payments to Y and Ms X to recognise the distress and uncertainty caused.

Lancashire County Council (25 004 977)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 22-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council failed to look into his concerns or assess his children. Some issues are closely related to court proceedings, and the Information Commissioner is better placed to handle the data issue .

Cornwall Council (24 022 695)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 22-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to a safeguarding concern. It is unlikely we would find fault in the Council’s actions. Additionally, we cannot achieve the outcome Mr X is looking for.

North Northamptonshire Council (25 000 650)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 22-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to consider her complaint about a social worker whilst there are ongoing family court proceedings. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council to warrant an investigation.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 003 632)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 22-Jun-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s section 7 report for court because the law says we cannot investigate matters considered by a court. We will not consider the rest of Mr X’s complaints because they are late.