Royal Borough of Greenwich (25 025 609)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 30-Jun-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with Ms X’s complaint about foster care arrangements. This is because there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by doing so.

Luton Borough Council (25 008 696)

Statement Upheld Fostering 23-Jun-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault for failing to carry out a risk assessment after Mrs X raised safeguarding concerns about transporting her foster children. However, this did not cause Mrs X a significant injustice. The Council was not at fault for failing to listen to the voice of the children as there are records to show it did this. The Council also provided appropriate support to assist with the family’s needs, so it was not at fault.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (25 011 939)

Statement Upheld Fostering 23-Jun-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to properly advise her about the needs and behaviours of two children placed with her as a foster carer and has refused her request for enhanced payments for the period of the placement. We found the Council’s failure to inform Mrs X of recent concerns about the children’s needs and behaviours, and the delays and poor communication regarding the request for enhanced fees are fault. These faults caused Mrs X unnecessary distress and uncertainty. The Council will apologise and make a symbolic payment to Mrs X, and will carry out a retrospective review of the request for enhanced payments.

Hampshire County Council (25 014 961)

Statement Upheld Fostering 23-Jun-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council asking Ms X to repay money which was sent to her in error. This is because the Council has accepted its error and apologised to Ms X during its own complaint process.

Darlington Borough Council (25 021 072)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 22-Jun-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with Mr X’s foster care matter. This is because the Council has dealt with the complaint through the Statutory Complaints Procedure and there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by a further investigation.

Dorset Council (25 011 739)

Statement Upheld Fostering 07-Jun-2026

Summary: Miss B complained the Council failed to assess risk and provide support to her when she fostered a child. The Council was at fault. The Council failed to share relevant information with Miss B, did not take sufficient action to mitigate risks, and failed to update the risk assessment. As a result, Miss B was denied the opportunity to make an informed decision about the placement, and there is uncertainty about whether an incident of physical harm might have been prevented. The Council has agreed to make a symbolic payment, update its records, and identify training needs of relevant staff.

Leeds City Council (25 018 895)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 27-Apr-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about a family assessment as we are unlikely to achieve more than the Council’s complaint process. We will not investigate what might happen in two years’ time.

Birmingham City Council (25 029 532)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 23-Apr-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to end a foster placement and to no longer place children in Mrs X and her husband’s care. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation. We also cannot achieve the outcome Mrs X wants.

Swindon Borough Council (25 017 341)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 15-Apr-2026

Summary: We will not investigate part of Mr X and Mrs Y’s complaint about an overpayment for fostering allowance because the Council apologised and cancelled its request for repayment. An investigation is unlikely to achieve any additional outcome. We cannot investigate part of the complaint about the Council’s response to their Subject Access Request because Mr X and Mrs Y have taken the matter to court, and the law says we cannot investigate. We will not investigate the Council’s complaint handling because the tests in our Assessment Code are not met.

London Borough of Bexley (24 018 763)

Statement Upheld Fostering 14-Apr-2026

Summary: Miss X complained the Council falsely accused her of poor care of her foster children and did not properly investigate her complaint. She says this distressed her and stopped her fostering more children. The Council was at fault. It failed to keep Miss X informed during the care investigation process and tell her the outcome. It also delayed its complaint response. This caused uncertainty and frustration for Miss X. The Council has agreed to apologise.