West Sussex County Council (23 019 373)

Category: Children's care services Date: 08-Aug-2024

Summary

Before our involvement, the Council accepted that it was at fault for a number of ways in which it failed to properly support Mr B while he was in care. It has already offered him an apology and a symbolic financial remedy. It has also agreed to assist him to apply to correct his birth certificate – which it failed to do for the five years he was in care – and will take steps to improve its service.

Service improvements

West Sussex County Council (23 012 456)

Category: Children's care services Date: 18-Mar-2025

Summary

Mrs X complained about the Council’s actions linked to its independent investigation into her complaints about its children’s services department. The Council has already agreed to some fault and offered an apology to remedy Mrs X’s injustice. We found additional fault in how long it took to address Mrs X’s complaints. We also considered that the injustice of the distress and time and trouble Mrs X experienced required a remedy greater than an apology. To remedy the injustice caused, the Council has agreed to apologise to Mrs X, make a payment to her and share good practice guidance with relevant staff.

Service improvements