Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about concerns the complainant has about a fostering arrangement involving some friends. This is because the complainant has no involvement with what happened and no information could be shared with him.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I refer to as Mr X, complains that the Council removed some children from their foster carers and Mr X is worried about the children’s well-being. Mr X says the Council has treated the foster parents badly.

Back to top

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 can decide whether to start or discontinue an investigation into a complaint within our jurisdiction. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

4. I read the complaint and emails from the Council telling Mr X it will not accept a complaint because he has no official interest to allow him to complain on behalf of the foster parents or the children. I considered comments Mr X made in reply to a draft of this decision.

Back to top

What I found

What happened

5. Mr X says some friends had been foster carers to some children for many years. Mr X had helped look after the children through activities such as babysitting or collecting them from school.
6. A few months ago the children moved to live with someone else. Mr X says he does not know what happened but he is critical of what he thinks happened and of the possible reasons. Mr X is worried about the well-being of the children and says the Council has treated the foster parents badly.
7. Mr X complained to the Council. The Council declined to accept the complaint because Mr X has no interest to allow him to raise concerns on behalf of the children or the foster parents.

Assessment

8. I will not start an investigation. I appreciate Mr X has had some involvement with the children but he does not have parental responsibility, is not a relative, and has no official link with the children or the foster parents. No information could be shared with Mr X because it would be confidential to the children and the foster parents. Mr X has no grounds on which to complain and what has happened has no direct link to him. The foster parents could complain to the Council if they wished to do so. That, however, would be a matter between them and the Council.

Back to top

Final decision

9. I will not start an investigation because Mr X has no grounds on which to complain and no information could be shared with him.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman