Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the conduct of staff during an Initial Child Protection Conference. This is because there are other bodies better placed to consider this complaint. Also, we cannot achieve the outcome Mr B wants.

The complaint

1. Mr B complained that the staff involved in an Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC) were unprofessional and demonstrated poor behaviour. He also says that there were false accusations made by some of the staff. This experience has caused him distress and affected his reputation. Mr B says that those involved should be investigated for gross misconduct and any that have made false accusations should be barred from working with children.

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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 impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide:

• we cannot achieve the outcome someone wants, or
• there is another body better placed to consider this complaint.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. Mr B says that the conference chair was rude and bullying in her approach. The Council has explained that Child Protection Conferences are a formal process and can feel intimidating as its purpose is to gain information to determine if it needs to intervene to protect children. It has apologised if he felt bullied or intimidated. We could achieve no more than this even if we investigated.
6. Mr B also complains about the social worker’s conduct. Mr B says that the social worker was rude, aggressive, and made allegations that have not been proven. The Ombudsman cannot investigate whether social workers are meeting their professional standards of conduct. Complaints of this nature should be referred to the social workers’ professional body, Social Work England. This is the most suitable body to consider this complaint.
7. Mr B further complains about the conduct of other attendees such as the police, school representatives and GP. We can only investigate if the complaint is about the conduct of an officer representing the Council. If Mr B wishes to complain, he will need to complain to the organisation they are employed with.
8. The outcome Mr B wants is for those involved to be subject to an investigation for gross misconduct. He says that anyone found to have made false allegations should be barred from working with children. Even if we did investigate, we cannot achieve the outcome that Mr B wants. We have no power to recommend a Council takes disciplinary action of any kind against its staff. If Mr B believes that someone should be barred from working with children, the appropriate body to take this to would be Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint because there are other bodies better placed to consider this complaint. Also we cannot achieve the outcome Mr B wants.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman