Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s actions when completing a safeguarding concern. This is because Mr X’s complaint is late and there is no good reason why it could not have been made to us sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained that the Council placed restrictions on his ability to see his children. Mr X also complained that a freedom of information request made to the Council was ignored.
2. Mr X complained that the Council’s actions have had a negative effect on his mental health, and he can no longer live with his former partner and children.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My Assesment

6. In February 2023, the Council completed a Section 47 enquiry and started a Child and Family Assessment. The Child and Family Assessment was completed in June 2023.
7. Mr X complained to the Council in November 2024, a delay of 16 months since the Council’s involvement.
8. We will not investigate this matter, although the Council apologised for the delay in the stage two response, it does not explain the long delay in Mr X’s complaint being submitted to us in good time.

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Final Decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the Council closed the Child and Family Assessment case in June 2023 and he did not come to us until March 2025. The complaint is therefore late and there is no good reason why he could not have complained to us sooner.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman