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’ ...

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 ...

Kent teen left to live in tent during Covid crisis A Kent teenager was left to sofa surf and live in a tent for almost two months by Medway Council during the COVID-19 pandemic after his family was left homeless, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found. The Ombudsman found the council missed at least five opportunities to house the teenager and his mother during the summer of 202 ...

Privacy Contents: Chapter index for Privacy Updated: 15 December 2025 Privacy search Search this content Submit search Part 3 • Privacy notice for job applicants Privacy notice for job applicants We process personal information as part of our recruitment exercise. Information we collect from you We may collect information about you from your: application form or CV your passport or other identity ...

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. ...

Your tenant's claims for housing benefit (complaining as a landlord) This fact sheet is aimed primarily at landlords whose tenants are experiencing problems with their housing benefit and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. My tenant cannot pay his rent as he has problems with his housing benefit claim. Can the Ombudsman help me? We would normally expect tenants who have probl ...

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 ...

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 ...

Top tips for making a complaint about local authorities Before we can look at your complaint, you must complain to the organisation involved and give it a chance to sort out your problem. These tips will help make that process easier for you and the person dealing with your complaint. Some organisations encourage you to tell them about your issue before making a formal complaint. This could be th ...