Middlesbrough Borough Council (22 016 808)

Statement Upheld Adoption 08-May-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council has considered post adoption support payments. The Council has accepted it has underpaid the complainant. It has agreed to back pay the financial support owed. Further investigation by the Ombudsman would not lead to a different outcome.

Middlesbrough Borough Council (24 003 424)

Statement Upheld Looked after children 11-Jul-2024

Summary: We uphold this complaint that the Council delayed its response under the statutory process for complaints about children’s services. The Council has agreed to resolve the matter by providing a suitable remedy for the injustice caused to Mr X.

Middlesbrough Borough Council (23 012 894)

Statement Upheld Special educational needs 15-Aug-2024

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to provide an education and special educational provision for her child, and ignored her complaint. She said her child has missed out on education, which impacted their mental health and wellbeing. She said it caused unnecessary distress and frustration. We do not find the Council at fault for the way it handled the child’s education. But we find the Council at fault for its complaint handling, which caused injustice. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment, and improve its service.

Middlesbrough Borough Council (24 009 176)

Statement Upheld Other 22-Sep-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council failing to deal with her complaint appropriately under the statutory children complaints procedure. This is because the Council has agreed to resolve the complaint early by providing a proportionate remedy for the injustice caused to Miss X.

Middlesbrough Borough Council (23 018 361)

Statement Upheld Child protection 10-Oct-2024

Summary: Mrs X, a foster carer complained about the outcome of the Council’s investigation into an allegation made against her by a foster child she cared for. There was no fault in how the Council investigated and substantiated the allegations. However, the Council's policy around roles and responsibilities towards people subject to investigations is not clearly defined which caused Mrs X confusion and uncertainty. The Council agreed to apologise to Mrs X and review its policy.

Middlesbrough Borough Council (23 020 396)

Statement Upheld Fostering 05-Dec-2024

Summary: Mrs X complained about the way the Council treated her and her husband as foster carers. The Council is at fault for not fully following the standards of care process and delaying its response to Mrs X’s request for a stage two investigation. This caused distress and uncertainty to Mr and Mrs X. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment and remind staff of the importance of following the full standards of care process.