Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the assessment of Mr X’s children. This is because the law prevents us from investigating things that have been considered in court.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains that the Council hid child abuse, colluded with other agencies, and fabricated information in reports to the courts. Mr X says this led to the removal of his children from his care.

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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 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

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

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My assessment

6. Mr X’s complaint concerns the Council’s assessment of his children, this assessment was considered in court proceedings which determined the care arrangements for the children.
7. I cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because the law prevents us from what happens in court, and this includes the substance of the Council’s assessment of Mr X’s children which it submitted to court.

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Final decision

8. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because the issues he has raised have been considered in court.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman