Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about a foster care matter. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Ms X complained about the way the Council dealt with her partner while she was a foster carer.
2. Ms X says the Council caused significant distress and financial loss and would like the Council to accept responsibility for this.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is late and there are no good reasons for us to investigate now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman