Kingston Upon Hull City Council (21 002 357)
Category : Children's care services > Friends and family carers
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 07 Jul 2021
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about children’s social care. The matter is being handled by the courts.
The complaint
- Mrs X complains about the way the Council has handled the care of her sister’s children and that the same information was used in a case about her daughter. She says it is causing her stress and anxiety.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- We cannot investigate a complaint if someone has started court action about the matter. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6)(c), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mrs X complained about the way the Council has handled children’s social care cases involving her sister’s children and her own daughter.
- We have no legal power to investigate cases that are with the courts.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the matter is being handled by the courts.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman