London Borough of Harrow (24 022 000)

Report Upheld Other 07-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council had not taken action to ensure that he and his wife have the respite care for their child that the family is entitled to. Mr X said this caused him and his family distress, worry, uncertainty, and frustration. The Council failed to investigate the complaints under the children’s service statutory complaints procedure following our earlier recommendation, and failed to respond to us when we asked the reasons why. We therefore have concerns about the Council’s governance arrangements to administer the statutory children’s complaints procedure.

Surrey County Council (24 021 592)

Statement Upheld Other 03-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to consider his complaint at stage two of the statutory children’s complaints process. We find the Council at fault for failing to complete the statutory complaints process. This caused Mr X distress and frustration. The Council has agreed to apologise, progress Mr X’s complaint and make a symbolic payment to remedy the injustice caused by the faults identified.

Cheshire East Council (25 001 817)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 03-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about her lack of contact with her grandchild, who the Council placed on foster care. The law prevents us from investigating anything that has been the subject of court proceedings. It would be reasonable for Mrs X to take her concerns about court ordered contact arrangements back to court.

Wokingham Borough Council (25 003 288)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 03-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s involvement with her children and contact arrangements. The law prevents us from investigating anything that has or is the subject of court proceedings. It would be reasonable for Miss X to raise any concerns she has with the court.

London Borough of Havering (24 015 829)

Statement Upheld Other 03-Jul-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained about delays with the Council’s investigation of her complaint about children’s social care. There were delays with the Council’s investigation which has caused Mrs X further avoidable distress. The Council agreed to complete its investigation without further delay, apologise to Mrs X and pay her a financial remedy. It also agreed to review part of its process for dealing with complaints about children’s services.

Somerset Council (25 001 870)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 02-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about alleged delay by the Council in supplying data. The Information Commissioner is better placed than us to consider this matter.

London Borough of Bexley (25 004 477)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 02-Jul-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about court reports because we cannot investigate a complaint about what happened in court.

Cumberland Council (24 014 269)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 02-Jul-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the care of Ms X’s child as it is now clear that the matters complained of are ones that either were or could reasonably have been mentioned during court proceedings. Only a court could order different living arrangements for the child.

Kent County Council (24 014 093)

Statement Upheld Other 01-Jul-2025

Summary: Mrs B complained the Council failed to properly carry out a child and family assessment and provide support about direct payments. She also complained there were failings in the Council’s complaint-handling and how it dealt with her Subject Access Request (SAR). The Council was at fault. There were delays by the Council in its handling of Mrs B’s complaint through the children’s statutory complaint procedure, and it delayed actioning a recommendation following the stage two investigation. Because of this, Mrs B suffered distress and frustration. The Council has agreed to make symbolic payments.

North East Lincolnshire Council (24 023 426)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 30-Jun-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s failing to invite him to review meetings or its assessment reports for the court. The law prevents us from investigating anything that is the subject of court proceedings and we also cannot achieve the outcome Mr X wants.