Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to a safeguarding matter. The complaint is made on behalf of a public body and so it is outside our jurisdiction.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Miss X, complained about the Council’s response to a safeguarding matter.

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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 complaints from public bodies. (Local Government Act 1974, section 27(1)(a), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint. Miss X complained on behalf of a public body and we have no powers to investigate when this is the case. The complaint is outside our jurisdiction with no discretion.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman