Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s actions in 2016. She could have come to us sooner and there is no good reason to investigate the matter now.

The complaint

1. Miss X said a social worker wrongly said at a meeting in 2016 that she had abused a child. She said this has given her a bad name.

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 cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

4. I read Miss X’s complaint. I have given her an opportunity to comment on a draft decision.

Back to top

What I found

5. Miss X complained to the Council in early 2017 about what a social worker said during a meeting in 2016.

Back to top

Final decision

6. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because the matter complained of is historic. Miss X could have come to us sooner if she was dissatisfied with the Council’s response to her complaint.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman