Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about care planning for a child and the content of a social work report. This is because the law prevents us from investigating complaints about what happens in court.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complained the Council removed a child from her care and ended its assessment of her as a kinship foster carer.
2. Mrs X also complained about the content of a social work report which she regards as inaccurate.
3. Mrs X said this caused distress.
4. Mrs X wants the Council to amend the report.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

5. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
6. 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)

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How I considered this complaint

7. I considered information provided by Mrs X.
8. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

9. We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the law prevents us from investigating complaints about what happens in court. This includes care planning decisions, and the content and preparation of reports councils present during court proceedings.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman