Kent County Council (25 002 712)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 30-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council assessed whether he could care for his grandchild. The law prevents us from investigating anything that is the subject of court proceedings. It would be reasonable for Mr X to ask the court to consider his suitability to care for his grandchild and have contact with his other grandchildren.

London Borough of Lambeth (25 003 752)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 26-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to consider her complaint about historical allegations of abuse. The significant passage of time means it is no longer possible to complete a robust investigation or provide a meaningful remedy.

Gloucestershire County Council (24 004 646)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 26-Jun-2025

Summary: Ms X complained the Council’s consideration of a complaint she raised through the children’s statutory complaint procedure about how the Council cared for a child, Y, was flawed. We found the Council was at fault when it overturned some of the statutory investigation’s findings, and did not provide an appropriate remedy to Y for the complaints it did uphold. This included that Y became isolated and institutionalised while they remained in an unregistered placement for more than four years. The Council will apologise and make a payment to Y.

North Yorkshire Council (25 001 036)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 23-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s historic complaint that the Council was complicit with child abuse when he was a child in its care. The complaint lies outside our jurisdiction because it is late and there are no good grounds to exercise discretion to consider it now.

Staffordshire County Council (25 003 918)

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

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s experience as a care leaver. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason for the delay in complaining to us.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council (25 001 435)

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

Summary: We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s involvement with her child, who is in care. The law prevents us investigating how the Council conducted court action. Miss X could also reasonably have raised her concerns in court.

Manchester City Council (24 012 289)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 12-Jun-2025

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s care of her when she was a looked after child and the way it handled her complaint. Miss X said she felt blamed for things that happened when she was a child. She said this affected her mental health, and caused unnecessary and avoidable distress. We find the Council at fault and this caused injustice. The Council will apologise to Miss X.

Hertfordshire County Council (25 000 231)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 12-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s involvement with her child (C), who is now a young adult. Some of Mrs X’s concerns are too old to bring to us now. Other concerns relate to court proceedings and the law prevents us from investigating those issues.

Oxfordshire County Council (24 005 262)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 06-Jun-2025

Summary: Ms X complained on behalf of Miss Y about the way the Council dealt with her care and that of her child. The Council was at fault for delaying in completing some of the recommendations from the Children Act complaints procedure. This caused Miss Y frustration and uncertainty. The Council should apologise, make a payment and send us an action plan detailing how it will complete the recommendations.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (24 002 642)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 02-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint the Council did not send an apology as agreed. The Council has said it will send the apology. Further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.