Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s involvement with Mr X’s family. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant our involvement.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council closed his child’s (Y) case prematurely and failed to notify him of this in writing. Mr X also said the Council were biased against him.
2. Mr X said this caused him intense emotional distress.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. 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

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. Mr X complained the Council closed Y’s case too early, despite him having ongoing concerns about Y’s living conditions. Mr X also said the Council excluded him from meetings and failed to inform him about the case closure in writing.
7. Based on the evidence available, the Council decided to close Y’s case as it had noted improvements in their living conditions during its involvement. Mr X was present at some of the Team around the Family (TAF) meetings and had the opportunity to make comment. The Council also recorded a plan about support for Y after it closed their case. Additionally, the Council included various professionals involved in supporting Y at the TAF meetings to inform its decision making.
8. Mr X was not invited to all meetings about Y’s case, however I have not seen any evidence of bias.
9. The Council provided an apology to Mr X for not providing him written confirmation that Y's case had been closed and sent out the letter in response to his complaint and this action is appropriate.
10. Given the information I have seen It is unlikely we would find fault if we were to launch an investigation and therefore, we will not investigate this complaint.

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Final decision

11. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant our involvement.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman