Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of the Council’s social worker in the course of child protection action. This is because investigation would not achieve the outcome the complainant wants.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Miss X, complains that the Council’s social worker has been at fault in the course of child protection action relating to her son.

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 do not start an investigation if we decide 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 and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

5. Miss X’s son is subject to a child protection plan. Miss X’s complaint concerns the actions of her son’s social worker. She complains that the social worker has acted with bias against her, and that her actions have facilitated parental alienation on the part of her son’s father.
6. Miss X specifically complains about the way the social worker spoke to her during a core group meeting, which she says made her feel personally attacked. She wants the Council to replace the social worker.
7. The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint. This is because investigation would not achieve the outcome she is seeking. It is for the Council to decide which of its officers to allocate to specific cases, and the Ombudsman will not express a view on the suitability of Miss X’s son’s social worker. The case correspondence shows that the Council has properly considered Miss X’s complaint. Our intervention would not lead to a different outcome and is not therefore warranted.

Back to top

Final decision

8. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because investigation would not achieve what she is seeking.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman