London Borough of Hillingdon (25 007 253)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 03-Nov-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint about decisions made about her child’s care. This is because the Council has commenced court proceedings, which places the issues raised outside of our jurisdiction.

Leeds City Council (25 006 020)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 31-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint the Council failed to provide support and training when it placed a child in her and her husband’s care. The Council has already investigated and responded to some of Mrs X’s concerns under all three stages of the statutory complaint procedure. It has apologised and offered remedial action and payment for the injustice caused by the fault identified. We could not add to the Council’s responses or achieve anything more. We will not investigate other elements of Mrs X’s complaints to us because they are late, the law prevents us, or the Council has not had the opportunity to consider these matters.

Manchester City Council (24 017 890)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 29-Oct-2025

Summary: Mr X complained using the children’s statutory procedure about support he received as a care leaver. The Council frustrated his right to a stage three independent panel under the procedure and failed to consider related issues covered by other complaints procedures such as adult social care. In recognition of the frustration and uncertainty caused, the Council has agreed to apologise, carry out a stage three independent panel in line with the relevant guidance and take action to prevent recurrence of this fault in future.

Liverpool City Council (25 008 056)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 22-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s decision-making regarding a taxi service it provided to her in the mid-late 1990s when she was a Looked After Child. This is because the complaint is late, there are no good reasons to exercise discretion.

Liverpool City Council (25 006 799)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 22-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate X’s complaint about how the Council cared for X when X was a child in care during the 1980s. This is because the complaint is late.

Norfolk County Council (25 006 744)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 15-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about arrangements for contact with Mr X’s grandchildren. The complaint is late and there is also not enough evidence of fault with the Council’s actions. Even if we investigated, we could not achieve the outcome Mr X wants.

South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (24 022 121)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 14-Oct-2025

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s actions in relation to her child, Z. We found fault because the Council failed to consider her complaint under the children’s statutory complaints procedure. This caused Ms X avoidable distress and frustration. To remedy the injustice caused, the Council will now consider Ms X’s concerns through the statutory procedure and apologise for failing to do this originally. It will make a payment to her and issue guidance to staff.

Dorset Council (25 000 994)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 14-Oct-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about the way the Council dealt with his complaints about his care under the children’s statutory complaints procedure. We have found fault by the Council, causing injustice, in failing to: properly consider all of Mr X’s concerns and time limits for accepting them; and convene a panel review. To remedy the injustice the Council has agreed to: apologise; make a payment to reflect the upset and uncertainty caused; properly consider the concerns not yet investigated, decide whether these should now be investigated under the statutory procedure and if so, a way forward; and if not, convene a panel review now for the current stage two investigation.

Cheshire East Council (25 005 074)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 12-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint the Council did not consider her wishes when care planning for her children. The Council has agreed to consider the complaint through the statutory complaint’s procedure. Therefore it is not proportionate for us to investigate.

Suffolk County Council (25 005 784)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 10-Oct-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to the complainant’s requests for contact with a Looked After Child. This is because it would be reasonable for the complainant to take the matter to court.