Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a children’s social care assessment. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

The complaint

1. Ms W complained on behalf of her daughter, Ms X, after the Council completed a Child and Family assessment about Ms X and her child, Y. Ms W said the assessment was biased; did not corroborate information and failed to identify protective factors. She also questioned the allocated Social Worker’s registration.

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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 not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating, or
• any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement, or
• further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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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 completed the Child and Family assessment after it received a referral from the Police concerning an incident between Ms X and her ex-partner. As part of the assessment the Social Worker spoke to Ms X, her ex-partner and Y. The Social Worker also considered information provided by Ms W, health, education and the Police. Based on the information gathered, the Social Worker decided there were safeguarding concerns for Y. They recommended an Initial Child Protection Conference, setting out their reasons for this.
6. Although Ms W and Ms X are unhappy with the content of the assessment, we will not investigate this complaint. The Council used a range of sources and included the views of both parents; there is no evidence of bias. The Council identified protective factors as part of its consideration of what was working well for Y. There is not enough evidence of fault in how the Council completed the assessment to justify our involvement.
7. We will also not investigate concerns Ms W has about the Social Worker’s registration. The Council has confirmed they are registered. Further investigation by us will not lead to a different outcome. If she has any concerns about registration, she can raise these with Social Work England.
8. There was a significant delay in the Council responding to the complaint. It apologised for that in its stage two response. There is no outstanding significant injustice that requires further remedy.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Ms W’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman