Thurrock Council (23 018 258)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 12-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to consider his complaint about a social worker whilst there are ongoing court proceedings. This is because there is no sign of fault in the Council’s decision.

London Borough of Sutton (23 018 320)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Looked after children 12-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint. This is because there is no sign of fault in the Council’s decision not to consider her complaint whilst there are ongoing court proceedings.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (23 003 632)

Statement Upheld Other 12-Mar-2024

Summary: Mr X complained about the actions of the Council, NHS and schools involved with his disabled child, W. The Council was at fault for delay in responding to Mr X’s complaint. This caused him avoidable frustration. To remedy this, the Council will pay Mr X £250. The Council’s complaint response was suitably independent and thorough, so I have not investigated the substantive matters Mr X complained to the Ombudsman about.

Devon County Council (23 010 183)

Statement Upheld Child protection 12-Mar-2024

Summary: Miss F complained about the way the Council dealt with her request for it to accommodate her son. There was no fault in the way the Council dealt with the request but there was fault in its complaint handling which caused some time and trouble to Miss F. The Council has agreed to apologise. I have ended my investigation into the way a social worker spoke to Miss F as there is not enough evidence to reach a finding.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (23 016 846)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Disabled children 12-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing an appeal for a blue badge. This is because we are unlikely to find fault by the Council which carried out a mobility assessment in accordance with government guidance. It is not our role to question the merits of a properly made decision.

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham (23 018 689)

Statement Upheld Other 11-Mar-2024

Summary: The Ombudsman previously recommended the Council respond to Mrs X’s stage two statutory children’s complaint within 65 working days. The Council was at fault for failing to comply with that recommendation. This caused Mrs X frustration for which the Council will pay her £150 and complete the stage two response. The Council will also prepare a database of officers who can carry out stage two investigations to prevent the fault happening again.

London Borough of Lewisham (23 015 287)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 11-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about children services’ actions. We have upheld Mr X’s complaint as the Council has now agreed to follow the Children Act statutory complaints’ procedure.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (23 005 790)

Statement Upheld Child protection 11-Mar-2024

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to follow statutory guidance and its own policies when it held an Initial Child Protection Conference regarding her child, Y. The Council was at fault for failing to provide Ms X with all the reports for the conference. There was also fault in the Council’s record keeping. The Council has already apologised for the faults, and this was sufficient to remedy any injustice caused.

Reading Borough Council (23 016 917)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 11-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council’s children’s services dealt with matters concerning child protection. This is because we could not add to the investigation carried out by the Council and we cannot investigate matters that have been considered in court.

West Sussex County Council (23 017 291)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Child protection 09-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to the complainant’s concerns about the welfare of her grandchildren. This is because investigation would not achieve the outcome she is seeking.