Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s contact with X’s family. This is because the matters complained about are already part of family court proceedings and the law does not allow us to investigate what happens in court.

The complaint

1. X complains the Council has not done enough to investigate safeguarding concerns they raised about their children in July 2026. X says this means they have been alienated from their child for a prolonged period.

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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 a complaint about the start of court action or what happened in court. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5/5A, paragraph 1/3, as amended)
4. 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))

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate X’s complaint because the matters they complain about are already part of ongoing family court proceedings and any issues with the Council’s actions can be challenged or directed by the court where necessary.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman