Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint the Council has ignored her safeguarding concerns about her child. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains the Council has ignored her safeguarding concerns about her child.

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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 there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (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.

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My assessment

4. Ms X reported concerns about her child’s welfare to the Council. The Council advised Ms X it had made enquiries with her child, their child’s school, health services, the police and the other parent. It had not identified concerns or evidence that meant it should take further safeguarding action. The Council has also advised Ms X to seek legal advice if she wants to challenge the current care arrangements for her child that were ordered by the court. There is unlikely to be evidence of fault as the Council has acted on Ms X’s safeguarding referrals.
5. Ms X’s strong disagreement with the Council’s actions does not amount to fault. The Council has set out the steps it took to ensure Ms X’s child is safe and these appear reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances. That being the case, the Ombudsman cannot criticise the professional judgement of the Council’s officers or intervene to substitute an alternative view. Our investigation is not warranted because we could not add significantly if at all to the responses the Council has already provided.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman