Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about social care failings in dealing with his family. These matters are historic and there is no good reason to investigate them.

The complaint

1. Mr X said the Council failed in its dealings with his family after he and his wife had to look after their granddaughter.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I read Mr X’s complaint and asked the Council when Mr X had complained. I gave Mr X an opportunity to comment on a draft decision.

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What I found

5. The matters complained of go back several years and Mr X’s complaint about them to the Council was not recent. He could have brought his complaint to us sooner.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because the matters are historic and there is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate them.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman