Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council failed to provide adequate support for children in his care. This is because his complaint is made late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion and consider it now.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains that the Council failed to provide adequate support for children in his care. Mr X says the Council delayed providing financial support after he started caring for the children in March 2023 and failed to provide further support after he competed a course in November 2023.

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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 considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. I will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. The issues he has raised happened more than 12 months ago and I see no good reason why he could not have brought these to the attention of the Ombudsman sooner.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because his complaint is made late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion and consider it now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman