Medway Council (25 023 042)
Category : Children's care services > Other
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 13 Jul 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a child’s social care case. This is because the issues raised could reasonably be, or have been, mentioned as part of the legal proceedings regarding a closely related matter.
The complaint
- Mr Y complains about the Council’s handling of his child’s (Z) social care case. He says the Council has been inconsistent in its communication and has failed to involve him in decision-making about Z’s care.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
- We have the power to start or end an investigation into a complaint about actions the law allows us to investigate. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we think the issues could reasonably be, or have been mentioned as part of the legal proceedings regarding a closely related matter. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by Mr Y and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr Y complained to the Council about several concerns. The Council acknowledged these and said it would strengthen its communication to ensure that he felt included in decision-making about Z’s care. It also acknowledged frustration caused to Mr Y by delays in family time taking place and apologised for this.
- Z is currently subject to an Interim Care Order, and their case is currently subject to ongoing legal care proceedings. Much of Mr Y’s complaint to us could reasonably be, or has been, addressed in Court as part of the ongoing legal proceedings. Therefore, we will not investigate this complaint.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr Y’s complaint because the issues raised could reasonably be, or have been, mentioned as part of the legal proceedings regarding a closely related matter.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman