Kent County Council (23 017 176)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Friends and family carers 02-Jun-2024

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the actions of a social worker. The matters complained of are not separable from matters that were subject to court action. There is another body better placed than us to consider any potential data breaches separate from court proceedings.

Manchester City Council (23 015 663)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Friends and family carers 29-May-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about how the Council has backtracked on financially supporting a Special Guardianship Order for her granddaughter for several years. This is a late complaint. Mrs X could have raised her concerns with the Ombudsman sooner and it is unlikely we would now be able to carry out an effective investigation. We do not consider it appropriate to exercise discretion to investigate Mrs X’s complaint outside of normal timeframes.

Devon County Council (23 020 449)

Statement Not upheld Friends and family carers 23-May-2024

Summary: Ms C complained about the Council’s failure to refund deductions of child benefit from her special guardian’s allowance back to May 2019, following the publication of our public interest report on a similar complaint. We consider the Council should deal with the complaint first through the statutory complaints procedure.

Wakefield City Council (23 021 153)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Friends and family carers 14-May-2024

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint that the Council’s actions in court impacted the care arrangements of the complainants’ grandchildren. The law prevents us from investigating complaints about what happened in court.

Luton Borough Council (23 016 496)

Statement Not upheld Friends and family carers 14-May-2024

Summary: There was no fault the Council means tested a special guardianship allowance that it was due to pay Miss X, meaning she received less than she did previously. The regulations allow for the Council to take this approach and the evidence shows Miss X was aware this could happen.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (23 004 942)

Statement Not upheld Friends and family carers 02-May-2024

Summary: We have discontinued our investigation into Miss B’s complaint about the support she received from the Council while looking after her niece. It is unlikely we could add to the Council’s own complaint investigation, or the remedial action it proposes.

Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council (23 020 473)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Friends and family carers 29-Apr-2024

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to not consider the complainant’s application for two ‘looked after’ children to be placed in her care. This is because the issues raised cannot be separated from ongoing court proceedings.

Hertfordshire County Council (22 018 114)

Statement Upheld Friends and family carers 18-Apr-2024

Summary: The Council was not at fault for refusing to pay Ms B a formal allowance when she was looking after a child under a private fostering arrangement. Nor was it at fault for ending the temporary financial support it gave her in lieu of an allowance. However, it was at fault for failing to confirm that Ms B had started receiving support from the child’s mother. This likely contributed to Mrs B going without financial support for a short period. The Council has agreed to apologise and make a symbolic payment to recognise her injustice.

Blackburn with Darwen Council (23 018 967)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Friends and family carers 10-Apr-2024

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about financial support provided for a child Mrs X cares for. A special guardianship order was decided by a court and Mrs X was legally represented. Financial support could reasonably have been raised during the court process and we cannot act in an auxiliary or supplementary role.

Peterborough City Council (23 018 686)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Friends and family carers 26-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint. This is because there is no sign of fault in the Council’s decision not to consider her complaint whilst there are ongoing court proceedings.