The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a child and family assessment. We are unlikely to achieve a significantly different outcome than the Council has already offered.
The complaint
Mr X complains about the accuracy of a Council’s child and family assessment.
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: we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation; or further investigation would not lead to a different outcome; or we cannot achieve the outcome someone wants. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council’s replies to his complaint which it provided.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
The Council completed a child and family assessment on Mr X’s family in late November 2023. It closed its case. Mr X complained as he believes the assessment is inaccurate. He provided a list of what he says is wrong with it. In March 2024 the Council replied in detail to his list. It also said it would place his comments on the assessment record.
Analysis If we were to investigate Mr X’s complaint the likely outcome would be, if we found fault, that we would recommend the Council place Mr X’s comments with the assessment. The Council has already said it would do this and so there is nothing further we could achieve for him.
Mr X says he needs a correct report for Courts to consider his child’s living arrangements. We cannot interfere with Court proceedings. The Courts in child arrangement proceedings have wide powers to order reports.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because we are unlikely to achieve a significantly different outcome.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman