Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council (25 005 062)

Statement Not upheld Fostering 29-Jan-2026

Summary: We have decided to discontinue our investigation of this complaint, about the Council’s decision not to accept a stage 3 complaint under the statutory children’s complaint procedure. This is because the Council has provided satisfactory reasons for making an early referral to the Ombudsman, and we do not consider it would be proportionate to carry out further investigation ourselves.

Coventry City Council (24 015 135)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 28-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about her deregistration as a foster carer. The Independent Review Mechanism panel is better placed than the Ombudsman to do so.

Cheshire East Council (25 014 873)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 15-Jan-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint about the information the Council provided to the court and the actions of the social workers involved with her case. The issues raised relate to what happened in court. It is unlikely we could add to the Council’s response in relation to the remaining issue complained about.

London Borough of Southwark (25 013 051)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 08-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the complainant’s deregistration as a foster carer. This is because another body is better placed than the Ombudsman to do so.

Dorset Council (25 010 451)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 08-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about payments made to a foster carer. It is unlikely we could say he has been caused any significant direct injustice by the Council’s actions.

Derbyshire County Council (25 001 657)

Statement Upheld Fostering 16-Dec-2025

Summary: Ms X complained about delays in processing her application for a house extension. The Council investigated Ms X’s complaint under the statutory children’s complaints procedure without fault but it failed to complete agreed recommendations without delay causing Ms X avoidable distress and uncertainty. The Council agreed to apologise to Ms X and ensure it has procedures in place to monitor and carry out recommendations made as part of the statutory complaints process in a timely manner.

Brighton & Hove City Council (25 009 313)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 05-Dec-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about children services actions. We are unlikely to find significant fault directly made a difference. There are other bodies who are better placed to consider his complaints about a social worker’s conduct and Council record keeping.

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (25 008 067)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 25-Nov-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a children safeguarding investigation as we are unlikely to achieve more than the Council’s complaint response. It is reasonable for Mr X to have sought a review from the Independent Review Mechanism for a fostering panel's decision.

Birmingham City Council (25 009 881)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Fostering 22-Nov-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about events which took place in the course of the breakdown of a foster placement in February 2024. The complaint is late and there are no good reasons for us to consider it now.

Sheffield City Council (24 019 828)

Statement Upheld Fostering 21-Nov-2025

Summary: Ms X complains about the way the Council dealt with a staying put arrangement. The Council was at fault for failing to explain the financial aspect of the staying put arrangement, poor communication and delaying in making payments. This caused Ms X distress, frustration and uncertainty. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment to Ms X and make service improvements.