Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s daughter’s experiences arising from her membership of a sports club as we cannot achieve the outcome Mr X seeks.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains his daughter has been greatly affected by her experiences arising from her membership of a sports club. Mr X wants the coaches and managers involved to be removed from their posts.

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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 we cannot achieve the outcome someone wants (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. We investigate complaints against councils as corporate bodies. We have no remit to investigate, separate to this, the individual conduct of Council staff members. We cannot become involved in disciplinary matters or recommend any sanctions on individuals and so we cannot achieve the outcome Mr X seeks. For this reason, we will not investigate.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because we cannot achieve the outcome he seeks.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman