Summary: We will not investigate X’s complaint about whistleblowing. It is reasonable for X to escalate their concerns to the relevant prescribed body.

The complaint

1. X complains that the Council failed to investigate a whistleblower complaint they made. X wants the Council to open an investigation.

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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), section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. We will not investigate X’s complaint that the Council refused to investigate a whistleblowing complaint. The Council signposted X to the relevant organisation’s whistleblowing policy, which explains how concerns can be escalated. This includes contacting the appropriate prescribed body. Prescribed bodies have oversight and regulatory functions relating to specific service sectors. The Ombudsman is not a prescribed body.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate X’s complaint because it is reasonable for them to escalate their concerns to the relevant prescribed body.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman