The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about children service’s actions. It is unlikely we could achieve more than the Council’s response to his complaint.
The complaint
The complainant, whom I shall call Mr X, complains about the Council’s children service’s actions.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended) We do not start an investigation if we decide the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X complained to the Council’s children service’s team that: an officer had rearranged a meeting at the short notice; an officer had fixed the date of another meeting without consulting him; and the officers gave him the impression they were not taking him as seriously as his ex-partner.
Mr X says this left him feeling bullied and anxious.
The Council apologised for the meeting rearrangement. It has assured Mr X about its intention to be child centred and not be biased towards one parent. It is unlikely our complaint could achieve more.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because we are unlikely to achieve significantly more than the Council’s response to his complaint.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman