Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint that the Council failed to transfer her child, Y’s, information to a new Authority when she moved area. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

The complaint

1. Miss X complained the Council failed to transfer her child, Y’s, safeguarding file to another Authority when Miss X moved areas.
2. Miss X says the matter caused her distress, frustration and uncertainty.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We investigate 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 or continue an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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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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My assessment

6. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint. This is because the Council was not actively involved with Y when Miss X moved area. It was therefore under no obligation to send Y’s information to the new Authority. If Miss X desires support from the new Authority, she can request it. The new Authority can then conduct enquiries as necessary under its own duties and obligations, which may include contacting this Council for information regarding its historical involvement with Y.
7. There is insufficient evidence of fault to warrant an investigation by the Ombudsman, and so we will not investigate this complaint.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman