Summary: The complainant says the Council failed to take her views in to account when it removed her children from her care. The Ombudsman cannot investigate any aspect of this complaint as this has been decided by the courts.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I shall refer to as Miss X complains about the Council’s role in removing her children from her care. She says she was not listened to.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate a complaint about the start of court action or what happened in court. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5/5A, paragraph 1/3, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I have considered the complaint information provided by Miss X. I have also read the Council’s response to our query.

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What I found

4. Miss X is concerned with the Council’s role in removing her two children from her care.
5. The Council has informed us that Miss X is raising historic matters occurring many years ago that were determined in the courts so it cannot consider now.
6. The Ombudsman is prohibited from considering any aspect of this complaint due to the legal action already taken.

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Final decision

7. The Ombudsman cannot investigate any aspect of this complaint as it concerns matters already determined in the courts.

Investigator’s final decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman