Swindon Borough Council (22 012 439)

Category: Children's care services Date: 10-May-2023

Summary

Mr and Mrs E complained how the Council handled allegations they raised about an incident that took place at their son’s school. They also say the Council failed to comply with the timescales set out in its complaints procedure and the statutory guidance. We find some fault with the way the Council dealt with the allegations Mr and Mrs E raised. The Council apologised to Mr and Mrs E, offered them a suitable financial payment and implemented service improvements. However, the Council was also at fault for its delays during the statutory complaints procedure and for how it responded to the investigating officer’s report. The Council has agreed to our recommendations to implement further service improvements to prevent a recurrence of the fault.

Service improvements

Swindon Borough Council (22 010 414)

Category: Children's care services Date: 20-Aug-2023

Summary

The Council was at fault for how it arranged contact sessions between Miss X’s two children while one of them was in care. It was also at fault for how it dealt with Miss X’s complaints. It has agreed to offer symbolic payments to recognise the injustice caused. It has also agreed to offer a further symbolic payment to recognise the injustice caused by a separate matter – communication with Miss X prior to care proceedings – for which it accepted it was at fault before our involvement.

Service improvements