The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Ms X’s contact with Children Services. This is because we cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons.
The complaint
Ms X complained that Children Services were harassing her and her children. Ms X stated that this caused her to lose her job, resulting in financial hardship and led to her children developing anxiety.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My Assessment
Ms X has stated she was first in contact with Children Services relating to concerns about her children between February 2024 until May 2024.
The Council has informed Ms X that they won’t be investigating due to the time lapse (more than 12 months) between when the incident occurred and when it was first reported. The Council offered Ms X an opportunity to raise a good reason as to why they should investigate.
I will not be investigating Ms X’s complaint as it is a late complaint and I have not seen any evidence of why it was not raised to us within 12 months.
Final decision
We will not investigate Ms’s X complaint because it’s a late complaint and there are no good reasons for why the complaint is late and that we should now consider it.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman