Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s Section 7 court report. The law prevents us investigating matters considered in court.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council submitted an inaccurate and biased Section 7 report to court. He said this would impact the outcome of proceedings, continuing his separation from his child and causing significant distress. He wanted the Council to retract its report, apologise and terminate the employment of the responsible social workers.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate a complaint about the start of court action or what happened in court. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5/5A, paragraph 1/3, as amended)

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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. The law prevents us from investigating what happens in court. This includes the content of reports written for court. We cannot interfere with court proceedings, and Mr X should raise his concerns as part of the proceedings.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is about the content of a Section 7 court report, which the law prevents us investigating.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman