Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with Mr X’s concerns about the safety and wellbeing of one of his children. It is unlikely an investigation would find fault with the Council.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about how the Council responded when he reported concerns about the safety and wellbeing of one of his children. He says the Council failed to carry out a proper investigation, did not consider the impact of coercive and controlling behaviour and failed to keep him informed.

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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 and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X complained to the Council in late 2024. He said he had made several safeguarding reports about one of his children, who lives with the other parent. He said the Council did not provide any reassurance that his child was safe and well. He said he did not think the Council had properly investigated his concerns.
6. In response to the complaint, the Council set out the actions it had taken to investigate Mr X’s concerns. This included details of the support provided to Mr X and his child by the Council’s Early Help service.
7. The Council explained that it investigated the concerns but also had to respect the child’s wishes and feelings. This meant it could not always share as much information with Mr X as he might want.
8. We will not investigate this complaint. It is unlikely we would find fault with the Council. It responded to the safeguarding concerns appropriately and ensured the child was safe. Although Mr X might disagree with the Council’s actions, there is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s decision making to warrant further investigation.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is unlikely an investigation would find fault with the Council.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman