Summary: We will not investigate Mr F’s complaint about an assessment for his son in January 2024 because his complaint is late.

The complaint

1. Mr F complained about a social care assessment for his son, B. He says he does not know how his son does not meet the threshold for support from the Strengthening Independence Service.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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

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

Back to top

My assessment

5. The district social work team completed a child and family assessment on 25 January 2024. The outcome was ‘No Further Action’ for Children’s Services.
6. Mr F complained to the Council on 9 April 2024. The Council responded at the first two stages of the statutory children’s complaints process. The Council did not uphold Mr F’s complaint. The Council gave its final response on 21 October 2024 and suggested Mr F contact us if he remained dissatisfied.
7. Mr F complained to us on 5 June 2025.
8. Mr F’s complaint is late. He took more than 12 months to complain to us about the assessment.

Back to top

Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr F’s complaint because it is late.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman