Ombudsman’s Annual Report highlights improvements for complainants and local service users The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has published its Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22, which details the success of its work to give more complainants a quicker decision on their case. Last year (1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022), the Ombudsman focused its efforts particularly on improving waiting ...

Councils that conduct needs assessments This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people and their carers who have problems concerning needs assessments and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I am unhappy about the way in which the council has carried out my needs assessment. Can the Ombudsman help me? In some cases, yes. We cannot question the merits of decisions, or professiona ...

Housing complaints by private landlords This fact sheet is aimed at private landlords who would like to complain about the actions of their local council. This factsheet provides a broad overview of the main types of complaint which we may consider. I am a private landlord and want to complain about the actions of my local council. Can the Ombudsman help me? In some cases, yes. There are several ...

Factsheet for NHS organisations about the Joint Working Team Who we are and what we do The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) and Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) have a team of investigators who consider complaints for both Ombudsmen. This is the Joint Working Team. We look at complaints that are about both health and social care services where we decide that a j ...

Right to buy applications This fact sheet is aimed primarily at council tenants who are experiencing problems with their right to buy applications and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I am unhappy about the way the council is dealing with my right to buy application. Can the Ombudsman help me? Yes, in some circumstances. We consider whether the council has done something wr ...

Ombudsman offices open joint consultation on Complaint Handling Code ahead of statutory requirements The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and the Housing Ombudsman have launched consultations on a joint Complaint Handling Code. With the Housing Ombudsman already applying a code, the consultation forms part of it becoming a statutory requirement under the Social Housing Regulation Act. F ...

Disabled boy missed out on education and support because of poor council practice A West Sussex boy missed out on vital support because the county council decided he had the ‘wrong’ type of disabilities, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has reported. The boy, who has Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder did not have his social care needs met ...

Transport for London and London TravelWatch This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who have a problem with the way Transport for London (TfL) or London TravelWatch has dealt with their complaint and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. Who are Transport for London and London TravelWatch and what do they do? TfL is an integrated transport authority responsible for the day- ...

Equality and diversity policy Our commitment 1.1 The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) is committed to: conducting its business in a way which is fair and appropriate to all sections of the community. This may mean taking positive steps to ensure equal opportunities in employment and equal access to its service. providing equal opportunities in employment and to avoiding unlawful ...

Other public bodies – frequently asked questions Why have you sent this complaint to us? The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has powers to deal with complaints made by members of the public about a number of different organisations. The majority of complaints we receive are about the actions of local councils and independent care providers. However we also deal with complaints ...