Councils told not to make blanket decisions on post-16 school transport applications Councils need to consider families’ individual circumstances when offering transport solutions for teenagers (16+) with Special Educational Needs to get them to school or college, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has said. The message comes after the Ombudsman investigated three complaints about the ...

Homeless Croydon man left to sleep on the streets because council did not do enough to help A Croydon man with mental health difficulties was left to sleep on the streets despite asking the council for help, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found. The man first approached London Borough of Croydon for help in July 2023 after he had become homeless. The Ombudsman’s investigation ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Top tips for making a complaint about care providers Before we can look at your complaint, you must complain to the care provider involved and give it a chance to fix the problem. These tips will help make that process easier for you and the person dealing with your complaint. You should give the care provider a chance to fix the problem before you make a complaint. This can be the quickest way t ...