Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council (25 012 053)

Statement Not upheld Fostering 07-Sep-2026

Summary: We do not find the Council at fault for the way it handled Mr and Mrs X’s complaint about foster carer support. We find the Council met the complaint investigations’ recommendations.

Liverpool City Council (25 026 304)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 07-Sep-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s concern the Council initially refused to consider her complaint and then how it has dealt with reestablishing her contact with her former foster child. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s initial decision not to investigate Mrs X’s complaint. We could add nothing more to the Council’s response to Mrs X’s other complaints to justify investigating further. It is also reasonable for Mrs X to continue pursuing the outcomes she seeks via the courts.

Swindon Borough Council (25 013 443)

Statement Upheld Fostering 19-Aug-2026

Summary: Mr and Mrs Y complained about the Council's handling of safeguarding concerns raised about their care of two foster children. Although the Council has already upheld part of the complaint, shortcomings in its complaint investigation meant the substantive concerns were not fully addressed. We found fault in the Council's handling of the safeguarding process and complaint which caused uncertainty and distress. The Council will make a symbolic payment and invite Mr and Mrs Y to provide a written account to be placed on the Council’s records.

Derby City Council (26 013 552)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 18-Aug-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to end X’s role in a foster care network. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault in the Council’s decision.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council (26 005 169)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 30-Jul-2026

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.

Redcar & Cleveland Council (25 012 208)

Statement Upheld Fostering 29-Jul-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault for not following the correct processes when it informed Mr and Mrs X of the concerns it had regarding them as foster carers. The Council was also at fault for its poor record keeping and for failing to retain key documents. It did not hold an exit interview when Mr and Mrs X stopped fostering with the Council which was also fault. The Council will apologise and make a symbolic payment to Mr and Mrs X for the avoidable frustration and uncertainty caused by its faults.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (25 013 303)

Statement Not upheld Fostering 28-Jul-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained about the support she received from the Council in relation to a fostering arrangement. We do not find the Council at fault.

Kent County Council (26 002 580)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 28-Jul-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X's complaint that the Council relied on inaccurate information when assessing her application to become a respite foster carer. There is no worthwhile outcome to be achieved from further investigation and insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

London Borough of Hillingdon (25 007 159)

Statement Upheld Fostering 22-Jul-2026

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s handling of her application to become a foster carer. She also complained about the way the Council dealt with her complaint. We found the significant delays and failings in the assessment process are fault. As are the failings in the complaint process. These faults raised Miss X’s expectations that she would be accepted as a foster carer and meant she experienced frustration and uncertainty for an extended period of time. The Council will apologise and make a symbolic payment.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (26 009 493)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 14-Jul-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision about care planning for children. The law prevents us from investigating complaints about the start of court action or what happened in court.