Worcestershire County Council (12 009 203)
Category : Children's care services > Child protection
Decision : Upheld
Decision date : 10 Sep 2013
Summary
A complaint by a grandfather that the council failed for seven weeks to follow up a safeguarding referral he made after his grandchildren witnessed a violent incident in the family which led to police action.
The complaint
A complaint by a grandfather that the council failed for seven weeks to follow up a safeguarding referral he made after his grandchildren witnessed a violent incident in the family which led to police action.
The council then took five months too long to deal with the complaint about its failure, breaching statutory guidance.
Finding
The Ombudsman upheld the complaint and found fault causing injustice.
Recommendations
The complainant accepted £250 from the council as a remedy for the difficulties he had in progressing his complaint. The council has also offered to pay a further £750: £500 for the complainant's anxiety caused by the delay in following up the safeguarding referral and £250 for his time and trouble in complaining to the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman has recommended the council review its process to make sure it complies with statutory guidance.
Ombudsman satisfied with the council's response: 13 March 2014