Coventry City Council (25 025 906)
Category : Children's care services > Other
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 27 Apr 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about a data breach because she has already taken the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office, and we have seen no good reason why we should also investigate.
The complaint
- Miss X complains the Council disclosed personal and sensitive information about her. She said the incident has caused her distress.
- Miss X would like the Council to apologise, carry out a proper investigation, and take action against the staff members responsible for the data breach.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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))
- We normally expect someone to refer the matter to the Information Commissioner if they have a complaint about data protection. However, we may decide to investigate if we think there are good reasons. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by Miss X and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because she has recently taken the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). She is now waiting for a response.
- The ICO is the national regulator for information rights and data protection, and therefore we have seen no good reason to investigate as well.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because she has recently taken the matter to the ICO, and we have seen no good reason why we should also investigate.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman