Surrey County Council (25 004 797)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 23-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council dealt with his concerns about an investigation into bullying at his son’s school. This is because the complaint is made late to us.

Reading Borough Council (25 006 946)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 23-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to consider his complaint until ongoing family court proceedings have concluded. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council to warrant an investigation.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 003 447)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 22-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about his dealings with the Council in connection with the care of his grandchildren because there is nothing we could add to the independent investigation commissioned by the Council.

Derbyshire County Council (25 005 311)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 22-Sep-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint about a court report because it lies outside our jurisdiction. The law prevents us from investigating complaints about matters that have been considered in court. We have no discretion to do so.

Surrey County Council (24 021 602)

Statement Not upheld Child protection 21-Sep-2025

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s handling of a safeguarding investigation following the death of her baby. She said it failed to include critical medical evidence in its safeguarding report. The Council was not at fault. It carried out the safeguarding enquiry in line with relevant law and policy.

West Sussex County Council (25 006 764)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 21-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s actions in its children’s services involvement with his family. This is because there is no sign of fault in the Council’s decision not to consider his complaint whilst the case is subject to ongoing court proceedings

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (25 003 624)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 18-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council making a safeguarding referral about Mr X as there is insufficient evidence of injustice to justify an investigation. Part of Mr X’s complaint is late and there are no good reasons to investigate it now.

London Borough of Havering (24 022 507)

Statement Upheld Child protection 17-Sep-2025

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to provide suitable housing after adding her to the housing register in March 2023 and again when she was at risk of homelessness from August 2024. She also complained the Council failed to provide adequate support while her children were subject to a Child Protection Plan, and about the significant delays in handling her complaints. We find the Council at fault for delays in processing her housing application, failing to accept a homelessness application, not offering interim accommodation, and failing to provide adequate advice and support. We also find the Council at fault for failing to provide the support required under the Child Protection Plan, and for delay and poor handling of her complaints. This caused Miss X significant distress, prolonged uncertainty, and left her and her children living in unsafe conditions without necessary support. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment to Miss X, and take action to improve its housing, children’s social care, and complaints services.

Durham County Council (25 003 256)

Statement Not upheld Child protection 17-Sep-2025

Summary: There was no procedural fault in the Council’s decision not to investigate Mrs X’s complaint about safeguarding failings in the 1990s. Because of this, we have no power to question its decision.

Surrey County Council (25 004 105)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 17-Sep-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint the Council failed to properly support her child for seven years. Some elements of the complaint are late and we have no remit to investigate others. We also cannot achieve the outcome Ms X wants.