Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions following child protection concerns that Mr X shared with it. This is because we are satisfied with the actions the Council took and unlikely to find fault.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained that the Council did not act on the child protection concerns he shared with it. He said this caused him concern.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word fault to refer to these. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions an organisation has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Due to the sensitive nature of the subject and the third-party information provided by the Council, which I cannot share with Mr X, I have not included any details beyond those necessary to understand my decision.
6. The information provided by the Council illustrates that it considered and acted on the information Mr X provided to it.
7. The Council was unable to share specific details of any action it took with Mr X due to it being third-party information.
8. Given the material I have considered, I am satisfied the Council considered the reports Mr X made and responded. Therefore, it is unlikely I would find fault in its actions.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because we are satisfied with the actions that the Council took and it is unlikely we would find fault.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman