Wiltshire Council (24 011 239)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 03-Dec-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council is at fault in refusing to accept that is has placed a looked after child with the complainant. This is because there is no evidence of fault on the Council’s part.

Northumberland County Council (24 009 808)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 25-Nov-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about financial support provided to him as a Special Guardian because the complaint is late and there is no good reason to our exercise discretion. There is also no evidence the Council is at fault for offering different support to foster and kinship carers.

Hampshire County Council (24 009 542)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 20-Nov-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s fostering application process. It is unlikely we would find enough significant Council fault to warrant further investigation.

Devon County Council (23 020 402)

Statement Upheld Fostering 11-Nov-2024

Summary: Mrs Y complains about the Council’s communication with her during the time she fostered two children. She said the Council undervalued and discredited her and as a result the placement ended. The Council acknowledged it could have communicated better with Mrs Y and apologised. This is an appropriate remedy and we have not proposed any further remedial action.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (23 020 879)

Statement Upheld Fostering 11-Nov-2024

Summary: Mrs X complained about failings in the Council’s child protection investigation concerning two children she and her husband were fostering. We found the Council at fault for not including all relevant professionals in its investigation, and for not having a safety plan for both children. This caused Mrs X and her husband frustration and uncertainty about whether the Council’s findings are reliable.

Buckinghamshire Council (24 008 768)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 07-Nov-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to end the complainant’s granddaughter’s foster placement. This is because the complaint has already been upheld and our intervention would not lead to a different outcome.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (23 021 476)

Statement Upheld Fostering 29-Oct-2024

Summary: Ms X complained the Council did not correctly follow policy and procedure when responding to her complaint. Ms X said this caused her to no longer be a foster carer and had a financial impact. She wants the Council to admit it is wrong and fix the issues. The Ombudsman found the Council correctly followed the statutory complaints process but is at fault for delay.

Birmingham City Council (24 009 087)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 26-Oct-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council submitted false information to the Agency Decision Maker, leading to the deregistration of the complainant as a foster carer, because investigation would achieve nothing significant.

London Borough of Wandsworth (24 008 815)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 26-Oct-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the circumstances in which a foster placement came to an end, and about the subsequent standards of care investigation. This is because investigation by the Ombudsman would not lead to a different outcome.

London Borough of Lambeth (23 005 025)

Statement Upheld Fostering 23-Oct-2024

Summary: Ms M complains the Council owes her approximately £65,000 in fostering fees for the care she provided her nephews. The Council arranged for Ms M to care for her nephews under regulations which allow a relative to become a temporary foster carer. The Council did not, however, complete the necessary assessments. An independent investigator was critical of the Council’s failure to take control of the situation, and to respond to Ms M’s requests for help with transport for the boys for many months. We do not uphold Ms M’s complaint the Council owes her £65,000 in fostering fees, but we have recommended a symbolic payment for the delays and the frustration caused.