Joint Working Manual Contents: Chapter index for Joint Working Manual Updated: 27 November 2025 Joint Working Manual search Search this content Submit search Part 13 • Key jurisdictional issues Some aspects of the JWT’s work require different policies and/or procedures from those generally adopted either in LGSCO or PHSO. The policies developed and agreed by the Ombudsmen are as follows: Out of t ...

Decision Statements Manual Contents: Chapter index for Decision Statements Manual Updated: 05 January 2026 Decision Statements Manual search Search this content Submit search Part 13 • Appendix One: Differences between draft decision & final decisions Appendix One: Differences between draft decision & final decisions Draft decision stage Final decision stage Summary heading The Ombudsman's draft ...

Information Security Policy Contents: Chapter index for Information Security Policy Updated: 21 October 2025 Information Security Policy search Search this content Submit search Part 13 • 12. Incident reporting and auditing An information security ‘incident’ is: A suspected breach of confidentiality resulting in unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, information, e.g. from theft or loss of cas ...

Manual for Councils Contents: Chapter index for Manual for Councils Updated: 23 April 2026 Manual for Councils search Search this content Submit search Part 13 • How we work with other organisations and share information Sharing information with other organisations We work and share information with other Ombudsman schemes, government departments and regulators. This includes anonymised decisions ...

Children’s complaints still dominate Ombudsman casework in 2024-25, but housing has overtaken adult services Complaints about education and children’s services are still dominating the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s casework, but housing cases are now the second biggest area of concern for people complaining. Published today, the Ombudsman’s annual review of its local government com ...

Commission meeting - 24 April 2025 Welcome and introductions Apologies Declarations of interest Any other business Minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2025 Matters arising (attached) Chair and Chief Executive's reports (attached) LGSCO Business Plan 2024-25 (attached) LGSCO Business Plan 2025-26 (attached) Draft Annual Report Advisory Forum (attached) Quarterly budget monitoring as at the e ...

Commission meeting - 17 July 2025 Welcome and introductions Apologies Declarations of interest Any other business Minutes of the meeting held on 25 April 2025 Matters arising (attached) Chair and Chief Executive's reports (attached) Annual review letters and Review of local government complaints 2024-25 Wellbeing and health and safety update LGSCO Business Plan 2025-26 Artificial Intelligence pro ...

Commission meeting - 6 February 2025 Welcome and introductions Apologies Declarations of interest Any other business Minutes of the meeting held on 31 October and 6 December 2024 Matters arising (attached) Chair and Chief Executive's reports (attached) Board effectiveness review Business Plan 2025-26 development 2024-25 Business plan - progress report (attached) Health, safety and wellbeing updat ...

Commission meeting - 6 November 2025 Welcome and introductions Apologies Declarations of interest Any other business Minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2025 Matters arising (attached) Chair and Chief Executive's reports (attached) Framework document - MHCLG/LGSCO People initiatives Business Plan update 2025-26 Policy programme update Reappointment of the independent advisory member of the Com ...

Disabled woman had care package reduced by more than half following flawed assessment by Bolton council The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council significantly reduced a disabled woman’s care package without properly assessing her needs. The woman, who is registered blind and has numerous health conditions and disabilities, previously received a ...