Privacy Contents: Chapter index for Privacy Updated: 15 December 2025 Privacy search Search this content Submit search Part 1 • Introduction The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman processes any personal data we collect, in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. We have divided our privacy notice into various sections, depending on the t ...

Retention and disposal of casework records policy Contents: Chapter index for Retention and disposal of casework records policy Updated: 19 November 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 acce ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...