Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about fees the Council pays a private fostering agency. Further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about the fees the Council paid his private fostering company (the Company). He said the Council had refused to apply a standard age-band uplift when a young person in their care turned 16.

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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:

• 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. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council. In relation to the young person who was the subject of Mr X’s complaint, the Council confirmed it would increase the weekly payment. Further investigation by the Ombudsman would not lead to a different outcome.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman