Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s child protection enquiries. This is because the complaint relates to legal proceedings on a closely related matter.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about the content of a section 7 report. He also complained that his child was put on a child protection plan. He said the Council has been biased against him and he is unhappy with the conduct of social workers.
2. Mr X also said the Council delayed responding to his complaint. He said the Council caused him emotional harm and financial stress. He wants his child to be removed from the child protection plan and financial compensation.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We have the power to start or end an investigation into a complaint about actions the law allows us to investigate. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we think the issues could reasonably be, or have been mentioned as part of the legal proceedings regarding a closely related matter. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), 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. We will not investigate this complaint because it would risk stepping into the court’s jurisdiction. The matters Mr X complained about cannot be separated or are closely related to family court proceedings.
7. The Ombudsman cannot investigate whether social workers are meeting their professional standards of conduct. Complaints of this nature should be referred to the social workers’ professional body, Social Work England (SWE).
8. In its complaint response the Council did not respond to Mr X’s complaint about the child protection conference and asked him to submit a new complaint. Mr X confirmed he submitted a new complaint and is waiting for the Council’s response.
9. It is not a good use of public resources to investigate complaints about complaint procedures, if we are unable to deal with the substantive issue.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the complaint relates to legal proceedings on a closely related matter.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman