Enforcement of road charging schemes (such as Transport for London’s Congestion Charge and Low Emission Zones) This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who are unhappy with the way Transport for London (TfL) is dealing with a congestion charge or Low Emission Zone related issue and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. It also applies to some other schemes such as the Durham ...

Derelict properties This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who cannot get the council to take action about nearby derelict properties and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. There is a dangerous and unsightly derelict building nearby and the council has done nothing about it. Can the Ombudsman help me? Yes, in some circumstances. If you believe that the council did somet ...

Noise nuisance This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who are concerned that the council is not taking the right action to deal with the noise nuisance they are experiencing and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. Organisations the Ombudsman can look at We hold councils to account for services they pay other organisations, including private companies, to carry out on the ...

Special educational needs This fact sheet is aimed mainly at parents who are concerned that their child may have special educational needs that are not being met and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. What is the Ombudsman's role in complaints about special educational needs? The law generally prevents us from investigating complaints where the decision or issue complained ab ...

Housing benefit claims This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who have problems with a claim for housing benefit (or local housing allowance) and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. The Ombudsman cannot deal with complaints about housing payments made as part of a Universal Credit claim. I have a problem with my hous ...

Homelessness applications This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who are, or may become, homeless and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I am homeless or will become homeless soon and the council is not dealing with my application properly. Can the Ombudsman help me? Yes in some circumstances. We can consider your complaint if you have told a council you are homeless or ...

Complaints about education outside of a school setting This fact sheet is aimed at parents who are experiencing problems with accessing education for a child who is unable to attend their usual school. It is also aimed at parents who choose to educate their children outside of the state education system. I believe my child is unable to attend school and I am not happy with the support provided by ...

Councils' care of 'looked after' children This fact sheet is aimed primarily at parents and young people who have concerns about the way a child or young person is being cared for by the local authority and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. The council is not looking after a child in its care properly. Can the Ombudsman help? In many cases, yes. A child may be ‘looked after’ ...

Guidance on remedies Contents: Chapter index for Guidance on remedies Updated: 03 November 2025 Guidance on remedies search Search this content Submit search Part 1 • Our role in remedying and preventing future injustice Updated October 2025 1.1 Our approach to remedies The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman was established some 50 years ago, to conduct independent and impartial investiga ...

LGSCO & HOS Joint working operating procedure Overview The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) and the Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS) are committed to working together where there is a strong overlap on housing issues. The LGSCO investigates complaints about most council services while the HOS investigates complaints and resolves disputes involving the tenants and leaseholders of ...