Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint that the Council failed to act to safeguard her child. This is because her complaint is made late and I see no good reason to exercise discretion to consider it now.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains that the Council failed to act to safeguard her child when referrals were made in 2023 and 2024.

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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 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 assessment

6. I will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because her complaint is made late. The issues she complains about go back to 2023 and early 2024. Miss X did not complain to the Council until April 2025. I see no good reason why Miss X could not have complained sooner.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because it is made late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman