Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled safeguarding investigations for Mr X’s children. This is because Mr X’s complaint is late and there are not sufficient good reasons for us to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Mr complains the Council did not properly consider evidence he provided during safeguarding investigations for his children in Autumn 2024. He complains the Council were biased in favour of the other parent.
2. Mr X complains about historic issues which took place in 2022 and 2023.
3. Mr X also complains about the Council’s complaints handling.
4. Mr X complains the Council incorrectly shared information about his family with third parties.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

5. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)
6. 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)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

8. The Council undertook a Child and Family Assessment in Autumn 2024.
9. I will not investigate Mr X’s complaint the Council did not properly consider evidence he provided during safeguarding investigations for his children. This is because the safeguarding investigation took place in 2024 and Mr X did not complain to the Ombudsman until 2026. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. I have considered the circumstances of Mr X’s complaint and consider it was reasonable for Mr X to complain to the Council and the Ombudsman sooner.
10. I will not investigate the historic issues raised by Mr X. These complaints are late.
11. I will not investigate the matter of complaint handling as it is not a good use of public resources to investigate complaints about complaint handling when we are not looking at the substantive issue.
12. I will not investigate the complaint about the Council incorrectly sharing information about his family with third parties. It is reasonable for Mr X to refer this matter to the Information Commissioner. There are no good reasons for me to investigate this matter.

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Final decision

13. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint the Council did not properly consider evidence he provided during safeguarding investigations for his children. This is because his complaint is late and there are not sufficient good reasons for us to investigate now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman