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 ...

AI Strategy Purpose To make use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in line with the principles set out below, to position us to empower all LGSCO staff and increase our capacity to remedy injustice as effectively as possible. Vision Our vision is for AI based technology to be a tool that helps us improve the services we provide in a way that is responsible, fair and easily understood by all. We aim ...

The children’s statutory complaints procedure This fact sheet is for people who wish to make, or have already made, a complaint about a council's Children’s Service. It advises you on the way the council should deal with your complaint and when you can ask us to consider it. How will the council consider my complaint? Councils consider some complaints about Children’s Services under a special thr ...

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 ...

How we deal with joint working housing complaints Who we are and what we do The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) and the Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS) have investigators and adjudicators who specialise in considering complaints for both Ombudsmen. The LGSCO investigates complaints about most council services. The HOS investigates complaints and resolves disputes involving the ...

Housing transfers This fact sheet is aimed at tenants who are having problems with their application for a housing transfer and may be considering making a complaint to us. I have a problem with my application for a housing transfer within my council area. Can I complain to the Ombudsman? Yes if: you need to move because it is no longer reasonable for you to continue to live at the property (and ...

Land sales and disposals This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who have concerns that the council did not follow the correct procedures when disposing of some land and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I am unhappy about the council’s decision to sell or dispose of land or buildings; or about the way it went about such a sale or disposal. Can the Ombudsman help me? Ye ...

School transport This fact sheet is aimed mainly at parents who have been refused help from the council with their child’s transport costs to school and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I have been refused help with my child’s transport costs to school. Can I complain to the Ombudsman? Yes, in some circumstances. The Ombudsman cannot question the council’s decision, if it t ...

Housing applications This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who have applied to the council for housing and have problems with the way the council is dealing with their application and may be considering making a complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. I need to move urgently but the council has not yet rehoused me. Can the Ombudsman help me? Yes, in some circumstances. ...

Conservation areas This fact sheet is mainly for people who have concerns about the council approving a neighbour’s planning application in a conservation area and who may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. Planning permission has been granted for development which will spoil the special character or appearance of the conservation area in which we live. Can the Ombudsman help? Yo ...