Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the behaviour of a social worker involved with the complainants’ family. This is because we could not add to the Council’s investigation.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I shall refer to as Mr X, complained to the Council about the actions of a social worker in a meeting he attended. Mr X said the social worker was unprofessional and did not give him the chance to speak. Mr X said the meeting was a waste of time.

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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 effect on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. The Council responded to Mr X and did not uphold his complaint. It accepted there were occasions when people in the meeting talked over one another. But it also said the purpose of the meeting was explained in advance. The staff felt they maintained respect and answered Mr X’s questions. It was regrettable Mr X felt the meeting was a waste of time. The Council would try and gather any questions Mr X had before subsequent meetings to ensure he felt his views were heard. Mr X had asked for the social worker to be changed. The Council said this was not appropriate.
6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. I was not at the meeting and it is unlikely we could add anything to the response Mr X has already received. It is not for the Ombudsman to say the Council should change the social worker involved with his family. Mr X can go to the social workers’ professional body, the Health and Care Professionals Council, if he believes the social worker has been unprofessional.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because we could not add to the Council’s investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman