Summary: We cannot investigate Ms M’s complaint about her dealings with the Council in connection with a welfare report undertaken for the Court during private family proceedings because it is outside our jurisdiction.

The complaint

1. Ms M complains about her dealings with the Council in connection with a welfare report (“section 7 report”) undertaken for the Court during private family proceedings.

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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 a complaint about court action or what happened in court. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, paragraph 1, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. A Court ordered the Council to complete a welfare report for Ms M’s child during private family proceedings. Ms M is complains about her dealings with the Council in connection with work the Council undertook for the report. I have not included the details here to ensure Ms M’s anonymity.
7. We cannot consider Ms M’s complaint. The report was ordered by a Court. The Council acting for the Court. Its actions are, therefore, outside our jurisdiction.

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Final decision

8. We cannot investigate Ms M’s complaint because it is outside our jurisdiction.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman