Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with safeguarding concerns about a child. This is because the complainant does not have the authority to complain on the child’s behalf.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I will call Dr X, complains about how the Council dealt with safeguarding concerns he made about a child.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We may investigate complaints made on behalf of someone else if they have given their consent. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26A(1), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. Dr X raised safeguarding concerns to the Council about a child. Initially, the Council had difficulty in contacting the child’s parents. Once contact was made the Council spoke with the parents, considered the family history the information provided in Dr X’s referral and concluded that the case should be closed with advice and information provided to the family.
7. I will not investigate Dr X’s complaint. We do not usually consider complaints about how councils deal with matters relating to children from people who do not have parental responsibility for the child. I see no exceptional reason why this should not apply here. The Council has responded to Dr X’s concerns.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Dr X’s complaint because he does not have parental responsibility for the child that his complaint concerns.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman