Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council was at fault in employing an individual as a social worker. This is because there is no evidence that the complainant has suffered injustice as a result of the Council’s actions, or is complaining on behalf of someone who has.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I will refer to as Mr X, complains that the Council was at fault in employing as a social worker someone who was not entitled to be employed in that capacity.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse effect on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

5. Mr X says the Council employed an individual as a social worker who was not entitled to be employed in that capacity. He says the Council has declined to respond to his concerns.
6. The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. There is no evidence to suggest that he has suffered injustice as a result of the Council’s actions. Neither is he acting with the consent of someone who has. There are therefore no grounds for us to pursue the matter.

Back to top

Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is no evidence he has suffered an injustice as a result of the Council’s actions.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman