Bedfordshire boy missed more than a year’s education because of council failures Central Bedfordshire Council is to review the way it provides alternative education for children who are unable to attend school because of medical issues following an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. The changes are part of the Ombudsman’s recommendations for the council in a case whe ...

Assessment Manual Contents: Chapter index for Assessment Manual Updated: 05 January 2026 Assessment Manual search Search this content Submit search Part 8 • 7. Early Decisions – Cases forwarded for Investigation 7. Early Decisions – Cases forwarded for Investigation All cases forwarded for investigation will be in jurisdiction. N&A will explain why we should start an Investigation, and any discre ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Assessment Manual Contents: Chapter index for Assessment Manual Updated: 05 January 2026 Assessment Manual search Search this content Submit search Part 9 • 8. Holding and 'Premature' Decisions 8.1 Where there is insufficient information to proceed See section 3.6 on making quick enquiries to get the information we need , and the note in section 4.1 on whistleblower and personnel complaints, and ...

Financial Instructions Contents: Chapter index for Financial Instructions Updated: 03 February 2026 Financial Instructions search Search this content Submit search Part 7 • 7. Procurement and purchasing arrangements Procurement and purchasing arrangements must demonstrate value for money and be in accordance with the guidelines set out in Managing Public Money, the Framework Agreement and Cabinet ...

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 ...

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 ...