Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the professional conduct of a social worker. There is another agency which can investigate his concerns about the social worker’s conduct

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about unprofessional behaviour from a social worker. He said the social worker’s actions affected his depression and he would also like an apology.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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 another body better placed to consider this complaint. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
3. The Ombudsman cannot investigate whether social workers are meeting their professional standards of conduct. Complaints of this nature should be referred to the social workers’ professional body, Social Work England.

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. Our role is to investigate the actions of the Council as a corporate body, not to investigate the actions of a specific employee of the Council.
7. Mr X’s concerns about the professionalism of an individual social worker are better suited to their professional body, Social Work England. Social Work England can decide if the Council’s social worker has not met the professional standards expected in their profession.
8. We will therefore not investigate his complaint.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because another agency can investigate his concerns about the social worker.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman