Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of Mr X’s son’s social worker. He says the social worker inappropriately interfere with his children’s lives, has abused them, and attempted to alienate his children from him. This is because an investigation is unlikely to lead to different findings or outcomes. In addition, there is insufficient evidence of fault.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about the actions of his son’s social worker. He says the social worker inappropriately interferes with his children’s lives, has abused them, and has attempted to alienate his children from him. He says the social worker is unprofessional and has overstepped.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if we decide:

• there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating, or
• investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X’s son has a social worker. Mr X’s daughter told him the social worker had asked her about moving from the area. Mr X said this caused his daughter distress.
6. The Council said the children’s mother had raised a housing issue with the social worker. The social worker explained the options available to the mother, including moving away to secure a larger property quicker. The Council acknowledges the children may have been present when this conversation was held with their mother, but maintains the conversation was not held with either child.
7. The Council also asked the children’s mother for their account of what happened that day. The mother’s account did not corroborate what Mr X said happened.
8. We acknowledge Mr X’s view that his daughter has no reason to lie. Equally, there is no reason for the social worker or children’s mother to lie. Therefore, due to the conflict in evidence, an investigation is not justified as we unlikely to be able to make any findings, even on balance, regarding what happened.
9. Further, there is insufficient evidence of fault regarding Mr X’s view the social worker is abusing his children and trying to alienate them from him. This is because the social worker’s actions are not outside the expected interventions to ensure Mr X’s son is receiving the support he needs.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because an investigation is unlikely to lead to different findings or outcomes. In addition, there is insufficient evidence of fault.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman