Devon County Council (25 003 549)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 23-Dec-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the conduct of a social worker and the adequacy of the resulting complaints process. Social Work England is better placed to consider social worker professional standards matters, and we could not add to the Council’s previous findings on the substantive issues.

Leicester City Council (25 010 310)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled children 23-Dec-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about a carer’s assessment and the support provided by the Council because we could not add to the previous independent investigation, and we could not achieve the outcome Mrs X wants.

South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (25 011 333)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 23-Dec-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council handled his safeguarding concerns about his children. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault.

Halton Borough Council (25 018 536)

Statement Upheld Other 23-Dec-2025

Summary: We have upheld Miss X’s complaint because the Council delayed considering her complaint at stage two of the children’s statutory complaints procedure. The Council has agreed to resolve the complaint early by providing a proportionate remedy for the injustice caused to Miss X.

Norfolk County Council (25 001 573)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled children 22-Dec-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about a lack of support from the Council’s children’s services. It is reasonable for her to request a stage three review under the statutory children’s complaints procedure.

Hampshire County Council (25 006 535)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 22-Dec-2025

Summary: Miss X complained that the Council refused to provide her with free school meals despite being financially eligible. We have discontinued our investigation because this is a late complaint and there is no good reason to use discretion to investigate.

Brighton & Hove City Council (23 020 868)

Statement Upheld Other 19-Dec-2025

Summary: Mrs X complains about the care and support provided to her daughter after her autism diagnosis. Based on current evidence I have found fault by the Trust and the Council. However, they have accepted this and provided a suitable remedy for most of the complaint. We have recommended the Trust apologises for distress caused by fault relating to a delayed referral for therapy. We have also recommended the Trust acts to ensure safeguards are in place to prevent similar fault in future.

Bracknell Forest Council (24 021 624)

Statement Upheld Disabled children 19-Dec-2025

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her request for a parent carers assessment, the children’s statutory complaints process, and how it communicated with her. Overall, we agreed with the Council’s stage two findings. However, the remedy proposed was not adequate to acknowledge the impact its delays had on her, and it did not consider the significantly delayed complaints handling. The Council will apologise, make a symbolic payment, and carry out service improvements recommendations.

Portsmouth City Council (25 005 325)

Statement Upheld Other 19-Dec-2025

Summary: The Council failed to properly consider whether to take Mrs X’s late complaint through the children’s statutory complaints procedure in line with the relevant law and guidance. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mrs X, pay them a symbolic amount to recognise the distress, frustration and uncertainty caused and carry out a review of its decision.

Redcar & Cleveland Council (25 006 670)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 19-Dec-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council preventing contact with his son. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.