Devon County Council (25 003 920)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 12-Feb-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault in delaying the children’s statutory complaints procedure in Ms Y’s case. It was not at fault in the way in which it investigated her complaint at stage two and three of the procedure. We recommend the Council should remedy the uncertainty caused to Ms Y by making her an additional symbolic payment.

Hampshire County Council (25 013 104)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 11-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about children services’ actions. The Council investigated it through its Children Act statutory complaints’ procedure and we are unlikely to reach a different outcome.

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council (25 000 803)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 09-Feb-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about a delay in reimbursing the cost of a holiday for a looked after child. We are unlikely to achieve more than the financial payment already paid.

Leeds City Council (25 006 880)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 03-Feb-2026

Summary: Mr X complained about the way the Council carried out the statutory complaint procedure. The Council was at fault for a flawed investigation. This caused Mr X frustration and uncertainty. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment to Mr X and complete a new stage two investigation.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 004 370)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 29-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council leaving Miss X in unsuitable accomodation. This is because we could not add to the Council’s investigation.

London Borough of Southwark (25 012 434)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 28-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about how the Council cared for her when she was a young mother in care during the 1990s. This is because the complaint is late.

North Yorkshire Council (25 010 886)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 27-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of safeguarding concerns about his grandchildren. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify us investigating. The law also prevents us from investigating anything that has or is being considered in court.

Brighton & Hove City Council (25 012 142)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 26-Jan-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint that the Council failed to disclose information during court proceedings. The law prevents us from investigating what happened in court.

North Yorkshire Council (25 011 517)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 22-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a child in care. The Council has agreed to resolve the complaint early and reconsider Mr X’s complaint under the children’s statutory complaints process.

London Borough of Lambeth (25 012 890)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 09-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s historic complaint about the Council’s actions in its child protection involvement with her family when she was a child. This is because we could not carry out a full, fair and effective investigation of the matter now due to the very significant passage of time since the events complained about.