Council should have better oversight of nurseries providing free places, Ombudsman says The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has told Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council to maintain better oversight of nurseries’ charging structures when they are providing the Government’s free places scheme. The Ombudsman has asked the council to write to all providers in its area who are provi ...

Complaints about privately arranged adult social care We can investigate complaints about adult social care arranged privately with a care provider, whether paid for with private money or Direct Payments from a council. This fact sheet deals with complaints to care providers about privately arranged adult social care. We have a separate fact sheet for complaints about adult care services generall ...

Town and parish councils This fact sheet is aimed primarily at anyone who is experiencing problems with a service provided by a parish or town council and is considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I'm not happy with a service provided by my parish council. Can the Ombudsman help me? In most cases, no. The Local Government Act 1974 (S34(1)) defines the authorities that we may investigate ...

Retention and disposal of casework records policy Contents: Chapter index for Retention and disposal of casework records policy Updated: 22 January 2025 Retention and disposal of casework records policy search Search this content Submit search Part 7 • Appendix 1: Checklist for retention where FOI/DPA/EIR complaint made to ICO On cases where we have dealt with a FOI/EIR request or a subject acces ...

Focus Reports and Good Practice Guides Focus reports highlight common or systemic issues we see, brought to life with case studies from our complaints. They share learning from complaints to help councils and care providers make improvements, contribute to public policy debates and give elected members tools to scrutinise local services. Focus reports are web-based publications. If you need any o ...

Complaints about adult social care arranged by councils We can investigate complaints about adult social care arranged by a council, regardless of who provides the care. This fact sheet deals with complaints about councils or services they arrange. We have a separate fact sheet for complaints about adult care services generally, and one like this for privately arranged services. I want to complai ...

Hounslow refusing “to do right” by homeless pregnant woman it failed Hounslow council is refusing to offer a home to a young mother despite making a catalogue of errors which left her homeless and sofa surfing while pregnant. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has recommended London Borough of Hounslow offer the woman and her baby its next available suitable accommodation, because its ...

Memorial safety in cemeteries This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who believe that there has been some fault in the way the council has gone about laying memorials flat and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. When I made my yearly visit to my mother's grave I was shocked to find the memorial laid flat and a notice telling me to contact the council. Can the Ombudsman h ...

Taxi and private hire vehicle licensing This fact sheet is aimed at people who are concerned that the council is not taking appropriate action over issues relating to taxis and private hire vehicles and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I am unhappy with the way the council has handled my concerns about taxi or private hire vehicle licensing. Can the Ombudsman help me? We ca ...

Trading standards This fact sheet is aimed primarily at anyone who is dissatisfied with the way a council’s trading standards office has dealt with their complaint about a trader, or the way in which a council has carried out its investigative, monitoring and enforcement work, and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. A local trader has broken consumer protection law and I have ...