Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s response to his requests for a male social worker. This is because there is no sign of fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I shall call Mr X, complains about the Council’s response to his requests that his son’s case be allocated to a male social worker.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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)
3. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint. I refer to this as ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we believe:

• it is unlikely we would find fault, or
• it is unlikely we could add to any previous investigation by the Council.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered the information Mr X provided. I sent Mr X a draft of my decision and considered his comments in response.

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What I found

5. Mr X complains about the Council’s response to his requests that a male social worker be allocated to his son’s case. Mr X told the Council he disliked working with female social workers due to his relationship history and his distrust of women.
6. Mr X says he has difficulty talking to women and the women who have been involved in his case over the past three years have made his life hell.
7. In response to Mr X’s complaint, the Council confirmed it had no male social workers available now, or when the case was allocated, and it did not consider it would be in the best interests of the children involved in the case for the social worker to be changed during ongoing court proceedings. It noted there was currently a national disparity in the availability of male social workers. However, there was no requirement for the Council to recruit male social workers and it was not a specific requirement for the role of social worker.
8. The Council has acknowledged Mr X’s dislike of working with female social workers but has explained its reasons for not changing the social worker. It is satisfied the current social worker is suitably qualified and experienced to carry out the role in this case. However, in response to Mr X’s requests, it has appointed an independent male advocate to provide support to Mr X during his contact with the social worker.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because there is no sign of fault by the Council in the way it has responded to Mr X on this matter. It has explained why the case will not be reallocated and it has taken suitable action in response to Mr X’s request by offering him support via a male advocate.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman