Mandatory safeguarding training
Failures in ensuring all staff complete mandatory training, particularly safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
222 items
13 sources
2 inquiries
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Mandatory safeguarding training has been flagged across 13 independent accountability sources:
4 inquiry recs
7 PFD reports
28 committee recs
25 CQC actions
2 HMICFRS recs
2 ICIBI recs
3 PPO recs
4 IOPC recs
1 IMB rec
4 detention investigation recs
1 PHSO decision
138 LGO/SPSO decisions
When the same issue appears across inquiries, coroner reports, and regulators independently, it indicates a recurring issue across the public record.
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Inquiry Recommendations (4)
WATE-(14) — Remind professionals of their role in identifying and reporting child abuse
Recommendation: Steps should be taken through training and professional and other channels periodically to remind persons outside social services departments who are or may be in regular contact with looked after children, such as teachers, medical practitioners, nurses and police officers, …
Unknown
WATE-(13) — Arrange sexual abuse awareness training for social services and other staff
Recommendation: Area Child Protection Committees should arrange training in sexual abuse awareness for social services staff and for those from other departments, agencies and organisations in their area.
Unknown
R17 — Trained panel member requirement
Recommendation: From a date to be agreed, no interview panel to appoint staff working in schools should be convened without at least one member being properly trained.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
R16 — Interview training for headteachers
Recommendation: Head teachers and school governors should receive training on how to ensure that interviews to appoint staff reflect the importance of safeguarding children.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
PFD Reports (7)
Gordon Thornhill
Concerns: Incomplete VTE risk assessments by junior doctors, a consultant's failure to identify this and document their own assessment, and a significant delay in providing thromboprophylaxis.
Response (Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust): The Trust is re-launching the "Stop the Clot" campaign to ensure VTE prophylaxis is appropriately undertaken and in a timely manner. There is a quality improvement project on the medical …
Responded
Edward Bilbey
Concerns: England Boxing lacked adequate child protection policies, enforcement, and up-to-date records for welfare officers, leaving clubs vulnerable and compromising child safety measures.
Response (England Boxing): England Boxing had already implemented remedial actions to increase safety and awareness, including revising the Rule Book to make safeguarding responsibilities clear, introducing mandatory DBS checks, and implementing safeguarding training. …
Response (DCMS): DCMS acknowledges the concerns, describes existing safeguarding measures and engagement with sports bodies, but states they do not intend to introduce further sport-specific legislation at this time. They will work …
Responded
Adrian Balog
Concerns: National safeguarding guidance for children omits "obesity" as a sign of neglect, contrasting with malnourishment, which risks failing to identify and protect obese children at risk.
Response (Secretary of State for the Department for Education): The Secretary of State acknowledges concerns about including 'obesity' as an indicator of abuse and neglect in safeguarding guidance, highlighting existing guidance on safeguarding children's welfare and health. They note …
Responded
Archie Bruce
Concerns: The Rugby Football League's Welfare Policy allows clubs outside the Super League to relax illicit drug education and conduct rules, risking young players who need consistent guidance due to their immaturity.
Response (Rugby Football League): The RFL will review its Overseas Code of Conduct, with specific reference to player behaviour, this year. Ongoing training will reflect any changes made.
Responded
Carol Taylor
Concerns: No system prevents staff non-compliant with mandatory training, including basic life support, from working on inpatient wards, posing a particular risk to vulnerable elderly patients.
Response (Essex Partnership University NHS Trust): The Trust has implemented measures to ensure staff are competent, including mandatory training checks and escalation procedures. They have also formed a Physical Health Task and Finish Group to review …
Response (HM Prison Probation Services): HMPPS published guidance on managing self-neglect in prisons in July 2024. They implemented a new booking tool for ACCT reviews in August 2024, introduced a new shift pattern for key …
Response (Ministry of Justice): The Minister acknowledges the concerns and offers condolences, deferring to the Director General of Operations at HMPPS for a detailed response.
Responded
John Rust
Concerns: Mandatory training for automated CSF drainage systems is not adequately enforced, with many staff untrained. There's no sustainable plan to ensure all current and future clinical staff receive essential training on critical equipment.
Response (University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust): Response from Deputy CEO and Chief Medical Officer, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, with no specific actions mentioned.
Responded
Georgia Scarff
Concerns: School staff unfamiliarity with the safeguarding system led to missed recordings. The lack of a single national safeguarding information management tool for schools creates inconsistent practices and risks.
Overdue
Committee Recommendations (28)
#11 — Secure a minimum 24-month implementation period for SPS agreement adjustments
Recommendation: The Government should secure an implementation period of at least 24 months for sectors to make necessary adjustments resulting from the SPS agreement. Once a common SPS area is established all legislative changes adopted under dynamic alignment must include a …
Gov response: It is our intent that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027. We have been listening to businesses and understand concerns raised about how the new agreement could affect them. We know that some businesses …
No Published Response
#10 — Sectors require sufficient time to adapt to SPS agreement regulatory changes
Recommendation: It is essential that sectors are given sufficient time to adapt to regulatory changes introduced by an SPS agreement. This ensures compliance without causing unnecessary disruption and reflects timeframes afforded to EU member states. (Conclusion, Paragraph 39)
Gov response: It is our intent that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027. We have been listening to businesses and understand concerns raised about how the new agreement could affect them. We know that some businesses …
No Published Response
#44 —
Recommendation: We recommend that the Government work with Sport England to identify steps that can be taken to streamline volunteer administration. This might include establishing a central register so that qualifications and DBS checks can be carried between sports and activity …
Response Pending
#54 — Mandate SEND continuing professional development for all educators via qualification or module incorporation.
Recommendation: SEND CPD should be made mandatory to ensure that all educators are equipped to meet the diverse needs of children and young people with SEND. This could be achieved through a nationally recognised supplementary qualification in SEND that all existing …
Gov response: In schools, we want to make sure teachers can access high quality professional development that supports them to deliver the best teaching for all pupils, including those with SEND. We are considering how we can …
Not Addressed
#52 — Mandatory SEND-specific continuing professional development for educators remains absent.
Recommendation: It is deeply concerning that SEND-specific continuing professional development (CPD) is not mandatory. The education workforce must be consistently equipped with up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge through ongoing CPD to ensure an inclusive mainstream with high-quality support for children and young people …
Gov response: In schools, we want to make sure teachers can access high quality professional development that supports them to deliver the best teaching for all pupils, including those with SEND. We are considering how we can …
Not Addressed
#1 — Mandate compulsory safeguarding training for all staff, including vendors, at music festivals.
Recommendation: We recommend that all staff working at music festivals, including vendors, be given compulsory safeguarding training, and this be a requirement that licensing authorities consider when approving events. This might be done along lines similar to training provided in voluntary …
Gov response: The Government agrees with the Committee that safeguarding training for staff is vital to ensure people attending events such as festivals can do so safely. The Government welcomes initiatives such as Ask Angela and LSAVI …
Accepted
#43 —
Recommendation: We recognise the importance of providing safe environments for everyone attending sports clubs or activity groups and would not want to advocate for anything that would compromise this. However, we call on the Government to be mindful of the added …
Response Pending
#20 — Ensure FCDO-funded aid programme staff receive training to recognise and signpost safeguarding concerns.
Recommendation: People accessing SRHR services may be vulnerable, such as adolescents. The FCDO should ensure that staff who are delivering FCDO-funded aid programmes receive training to be able to recognise safeguarding concerns when interacting with aid recipients. These staff should be …
Gov response: Agree 73. The FCDO agrees that adolescents and other marginalised groups can be vulnerable to a range of safeguarding risks, and we work closely with partners to ensure organisations have a strong safeguarding culture and …
Accepted
#13 — Mandate educational settings to ensure staff awareness of harassment policies and conduct background checks.
Recommendation: The OfS should also require educational settings to ensure that all staff, permanent, temporary and those visiting, are aware of policies around abuse and harassment, including the consequences of inappropriate behaviour. People invited to teach students should undergo background and …
Gov response: The Department for Education welcomes the Committee’s recommendation. This is a matter for the Office for Students.
Not Addressed
#10 — FCDO's current programming fails to adequately safeguard people with disabilities from exploitation.
Recommendation: People with disabilities are significantly more at risk of sexual exploitation, as well as other forms of exploitation, highlighting the importance of their appropriate safeguarding. However, we are not convinced that the FCDO is doing all it can to properly …
Gov response: Equity and safeguarding considerations are an integral part of delivering good value for money in the FCDO. We agree that securing value for money in development programmes should not compromise the safeguarding of people with …
Not Addressed
#10 —
Recommendation: We recommend that the Home Office makes a clear, specific statement to clarify the role of Prevent in addressing non-ideological cases, and makes any necessary updates to relevant Prevent guidance and training to reflect that position. The government should also …
Response Pending
#4 — Undertake evaluation of KCSiE guidance implementation, impact, and barriers within six months.
Recommendation: The Government should undertake an evaluation of how well schools are following the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance and the impact that guidance is having in practice. The evaluation should include 33 scrutiny of any barriers preventing schools from …
Gov response: 2. Keeping Children Safe in Education is updated annually, including testing with stakeholders. There is a consultation on substantive changes. The next consultation of the guidance will be launched later this year.
Under Consideration
#3 — Schools lack adequate time and funding for effective KCSiE guidance implementation.
Recommendation: The Government has updated the statutory Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance to include tackling peer-on-peer sexual harassment and sexual violence. This is a positive step to ensure that schools better protect children and young people from harmful sexual behaviour. …
Gov response: 1. The updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education made it explicit that all schools should understand that sexual harassment and sexual violence might happen in any school, and that they should prepare and act …
Accepted
#1 — Ensure all schools recognise sexual harassment seriousness and receive funding for effective safeguarding.
Recommendation: Sexual harassment and sexual violence continues to be a scourge in our schools, with many girls and women feeling powerless. The issues are longstanding and warnings have been frequent, including from our predecessor Committee. It is saddening that it took …
Gov response: 1. The updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education made it explicit that all schools should understand that sexual harassment and sexual violence might happen in any school, and that they should prepare and act …
Accepted
#12 — Stipulate clear, independent internal reporting pathways for harassment within OfS guidance for educational settings.
Recommendation: We support the Office for Students’ proposed new condition of registration aimed at protecting students from harassment and sexual misconduct. Its effectiveness will depend, in part, on students and staff feeling both able to recognise and report misconduct and that …
Gov response: The Department for Education has been in dialogue with the Office for Students about a proposed new registration condition for some time and significant progress has been made. The Office for Students received a significant …
Not Addressed
#11 — Department has robust three-tier safeguarding framework for cadets, including DBS checks and training.
Recommendation: The Department also described in its letter the cadet safeguarding arrangements that it has in place. Each of the armed forces is responsible for safeguarding its cadets, but they adhere to the same basic safeguarding principles set out in the …
Gov response: 2a. PAC recommendation: The Department should develop a plan by June 2026 (one year after the publication of the SDR) for increasing the number of Cadets which sets out how it will: • ensure that …
Not Addressed
#2 — Outdoor music festivals require higher safeguarding standards for their younger, more vulnerable attendees.
Recommendation: We believe that a more formal and higher standard is required for outdoor music festivals owing to the comparatively younger age of festival-goers and the additional vulnerability that arises from their camping over at such festivals.
Gov response: The Government recognises that spiking is a largely under-reported crime, and that every report of needle or drink spiking is different and, consequently, there is no ‘one size fits all’, or default, crime classification solution. …
Under Consideration
#2 — Undertake further thematic review of safeguarding policies and investigate abuse against female staff.
Recommendation: Ofsted did not act quickly enough in undertaking its review in 2021, however we welcome it and their commitment to strengthen requirements for inspectors to assess how schools address sexual harassment and abuse. Should Ofsted inspectors find a lack of …
Gov response: In 2021, we published our review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges, and updated our handbooks to strengthen requirements for inspectors to assess how well schools address sexual harassment and abuse. Since then, we …
Partially Accepted
#7 — Improve the teaching of honour-based abuse within Relationships, Sex and Health Education settings
Recommendation: The Government is currently reviewing the content of relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) taught in schools. It is clear from the evidence we received that the teaching of honour-based abuse is currently inadequate. The ongoing review of RSHE should …
Gov response: The review of the RSHE statutory guidance, originally planned for September 2023, has been brought forward due to concerns about inappropriate materials being used to teach sex education in schools. The first phase of the …
Accepted
#5 — Set out progress on police and safeguarding professionals' honour-based abuse training
Recommendation: In response to this Report, the Government should set out the progress made in implementing the national training package for frontline police officers on recognising so-called honour-based abuse. The Government must also set out the steps it will take to …
Gov response: DfE has contracted with IFF Research to undertake quantitative and qualitative research to understand the quality of implementation, including teacher confidence in teaching the statutory requirements. This research will help us to understand barriers and …
Accepted
#4 — More work needed to empower honour-based abuse victims and ensure safeguarding
Recommendation: We welcome the steps taken by the police service in response to the concerns raised in the super-complaint on honour-based abuse brought by Liberty and the Halo Project in 2020. However, there is still more work to be done if …
Gov response: We recognise the importance of professionals having the right skills and understanding to respond effectively to HBA. We are clear that cultural sensitivities must not be a barrier to tackling these crimes. That is why …
Accepted
#20 — Integrate survivor-led training on sexual harassment into Security Industry Authority accreditation for venue staff.
Recommendation: Security Industry Authority accreditation for security staff to work at live music venues should include training on dealing with discrimination, sexual harassment and abuse. That training should be survivor-led and provided by accredited organisations dedicated to improving safety for women. …
Gov response: The private security industry plays a key role in public protection, and this includes the protection of women and girls in live music venues and the wider night-time economy. The Security Industry Authority sets training …
Accepted
#26 — Consult on administrative requirements for work experience to reduce burdens on schools.
Recommendation: The Department should consult on the administrative requirements for schools and employers to provide work experience and consider whether any requirements can be removed or lightened without compromising the safety and wellbeing of pupils. It must work with the Careers …
Gov response: The Government will consider whether any requirements can be removed or lightened following the review of existing guidance (set out in response to recommendation 25) which is due to be completed this autumn.
Not Addressed
#25 — Administrative requirements create barriers for schools arranging work experience placements.
Recommendation: We have heard that administrative requirements, particularly concerns around safeguarding, may form a barrier to schools being able to arrange work experience placements. Safeguarding is an essential aspect of every school and college’s work. The opportunity for young people to …
Gov response: The Government agrees that administrative requirements and concerns around safeguarding should not form a barrier to schools being able to arrange work experience placements and that access should be as easy as possible. We currently …
Accepted
#15 — License all commercial recording studios, including sexual harassment risk assessments and clear reporting pathways.
Recommendation: A recording studio should be a safe space for all those who work there. Frequently this is not the case, and commercial self-interest is prioritised over personal safety. We recommend that all commercial recording studios should be licensed. That licensing …
Gov response: The Government agrees that recording studios should provide a safe environment for all who work in them. There are no plans at the present time to introduce new licensing requirements for commercial recording studios. The …
Not Accepted
#8 — Share good practice to improve NRM awareness and use among NI welfare and justice agencies.
Recommendation: We are concerned about the lack of use of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in NI. The NRM is a tool for public agencies to provide a strategic safeguarding response to paramilitary activity. While we acknowledge that support for modern …
Gov response: The UK Government acknowledges the importance of work to ensure that the Northern Ireland framework for safeguarding children and young people protects those abused by paramilitary or organised crime gangs. This is a policy area …
Accepted
#13 — Outline departments adopting PHSO Complaint Standards and present plan for full implementation
Recommendation: We reiterate the recommendation from our previous report that the Cabinet Office should strongly encourage Government departments and public bodies to sign up to the Government Complaint Standards. In its response to this report, the Government should outline how many …
Gov response: The Government remains supportive of the complaint standards and is pleased that a number of departments, including the Cabinet Office, HMRC and Department for Transport, have come forward as early adopters. We are pleased that …
Partially Accepted
#12 — Publish PHSO Complaint Standards training proportions and targets for NHS and government staff
Recommendation: We welcome the progress that has been made in developing and rolling out Complaint Standards for the UK Government and the NHS. These Standards have the potential to improve the quality of public services and the handling of complaints. Ensuring …
Gov response: In March 2023, we published our evaluation report on our pilot of the NHS Complaint Standards. The pilot saw us work with 11 NHS organisations and one private provider to explore how best to embed …
Accepted
CQC Inspection Actions (25)
We Can Recover CIC
Not all staff had Safeguarding Adults and Children training on how to recognise and report abuse, appropriate for their role. There were still gaps in safeguarding children level two training. For example, only one of the three therapy staff had …
Must Do
Verve Health
The service must ensure staff understand how to protect service users from abuse, and how and when to make a safeguarding referral.
Must Do
Meet The Baby
The provider must ensure that there is a member of staff with level three children’s and adult safeguarding on site when the premises are open.
Must Do
Hey Baby 4D Halifax
The service must implement effective systems and processes to ensure all staff are compliant with mandatory training, including but not limited to, safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, to a level appropriate for their role.
Must Do
Essex Shared Lives
The provider must ensure all shared live hosts have up to date and completed training relating to safeguarding vulnerable people.
Must Do
St Clare's Hospice
The provider must ensure safeguarding processes are developed to ensure all staff fully understand how to report, investigate and learn from safeguarding alerts. In addition, all staff must receive training in line with Intercollegiate guidance (2018)
Must Do
Goldenley Care Home
The provider must ensure that all staff receive appropriate and up-to-date training in safeguarding people from abuse.
Must Do
Worcestershire Imaging Centre
The provider must ensure there is a safeguarding lead and a member of staff has been trained to safeguarding children level three.
Must Do
Talbot House
Staff would benefit from additional training in understanding what various forms of abuse look like in order to be able to identify concerns.
Should Do
Percys Travel
The service did not ensure that staff were trained at a suitable level in line with the Intercollegiate guidance for Safeguarding for their roles and responsibilities.
Must Do
Meet The Baby
The provider should ensure that all staff have undertaken training in female genital mutilation (FGM).
Should Do
Bromsgrove
The service must ensure all staff receive mandatory training including safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act and mandatory training on Learning Disability and Autism.(Regulation18(2)).
Must Do
We Can Recover CIC
The service did not ensure that the safeguarding policies were robust and up to date. Staff did not understand safeguarding incidents and know how to report safeguarding concerns.
Must Do
Specialist Medical Transport - North
The service must evidence that staff have received the required training in safeguarding to recognise and respond to the risk of abuse and keep service users safe from harm or the risk of harm.
Must Do
Rosecroft Residential Care Home
The provider is required to send us information on a monthly basis to evidence action plans resulting from audits conducted within the service of the training of all staff on safeguarding adults.
Must Do
Cheshire Hair Transplant Clinic Limited
The service must ensure that staff complete training in key areas, including safeguarding, to a level appropriate for their role and that staff can correctly identify and report abuse.
Must Do
Baby Bump Limited
The service must have adequate systems and processes to prevent the abuse of service users. Staff must receive safeguarding training that is relevant, and suitable for their role, as outlined in the intercollegic guidance.
Must Do
Sydenham House
Strengthen the system in place to monitor staff training appropriate to their role, including safeguarding.
Should Do
Roland Residential Care Homes - 27 Bush Hill
We recommend the provider review their safeguarding policy and procedures to ensure the service operates in line with best practice.
Should Do
Prospects for People with Learning Disabilities - 3 Norwich Road
A number of staff were not up to date with their training. Four staff did not have up to date training in the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and two staff had not received training in the Mental Capacity Act (2005). …
Should Do
London Hair Transplant Clinic
The service should ensure there is a named safeguarding lead who has completed at least level 4 safeguarding children training.
Should Do
Harley Street Private Practice Limited
The service should ensure they continue to monitor mandatory training effectively.
Should Do
Aspirations (Northampton)
Not all staff had up to date training in fire safety, first aid and safeguarding. The training matrix evidenced that the compliance for these training sessions was between 37%-50%.
Should Do
Essex Shared Lives
The provider must ensure that robust auditing arrangements are fully implemented and effectively address identified shortfalls concerning recruitment practices for existing shared lives hosts, mandatory and specialist training uptake, and documentation relating to people being supported, including support plans, risk …
Must Do
Bromsgrove
The service should ensure staff have access to the local authority safeguarding information.(Regulation13).
Should Do
HMICFRS Recommendations (2)
PEEL 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Thames Valley Police
Cause of concern: Thames Valley Police needs to make sure that all personnel have appropriate training and/or knowledge of their role requirements when attending child and adult strategy discussions. Recommendation: Within three months, Thames Valley Police should:- make sure it …
Recommendation
PEEL 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Thames Valley Police
Cause of concern: Thames Valley Police needs to make sure that all personnel have appropriate training and/or knowledge of their role requirements when attending child and adult strategy discussions. Recommendation: Within three months, Thames Valley Police should take steps to …
Recommendation
ICIBI Immigration Recommendations (2)
An inspection of the use of hotels for housing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children …
Strengthen assurance and monitoring mechanisms to ensure it is satisfied that contractors are meeting safeguarding and other requirements, including, but not limited to:
An inspection of contingency asylum accommodation for families with children in Northern …
The Home Office should strengthen assurance and monitoring arrangements to ensure accommodation providers, and their contractors and sub-contractors, are meeting all the standards set out in the Asylum Support Contracts …
PPO Death in Custody Recommendations (3)
The Head of Healthcare
The Head of Healthcare should ensure that healthcare staff are compliant in the correct level of safeguarding training in accordance with their roles as set out in the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Intercollegiate Document for ‘Adult Safeguarding: Roles and …
The Head of Healthcare (Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust at …
The Head of Healthcare should ensure that healthcare staff are aware of NHFT’s policy for safeguarding responsible adults and that staff adhere to the policies, procedures and guidelines.
The Governor
The Governor should ensure that all staff understand and follow the safeguarding policy, particularly with regard to the division of responsibilities for action to be taken.
IOPC Learning Recommendations (4)
Recommendations - Cleveland Police, May 2022
The IOPC recommends that Cleveland police should identify all officers and staff who must undergo it's mandatory child sexual exploitation (CSE) training packages. The force should maintain accurate and auditable records of all officers and staff who have attended such …
Recommendations - Metropolitan Police Service, June 2024
The IOPC recommends that MPS takes steps to ensure that all police officers who regularly come into contact with members of the public, whether face-to-face or by some other means, receive training created by NPCC in 2021 on APSP. They …
National recommendation - National Police Chiefs' Council, February 2021
The IOPC recommends that the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) takes steps to ensure that all police forces provide training to officers and staff who regularly come into contact with members of the public, whether face-to-face or by some other …
Recommendations - Cleveland Police, February 2021
The IOPC recommends Cleveland Police reviews its management systems for performance and training to ensure there are robust mechanisms in place to ensure staff comply with all mandatory training packages, while ensuring performance reviews are carried out and maintained. Do …
Health Investigations (3)
Themes and lessons learnt from NHS investigations into matters relating … — Rec R4
All NHS trusts should ensure that their staff and volunteers undergo formal refresher training in safeguarding at the appropriate level at least every three years.
national
Accepted
Themes and lessons learnt from NHS investigations into matters relating … — Rec R8
The Department of Health and NHS England should devise and put in place an action plan for raising and maintaining NHS employers’ awareness of their obligations to make referrals to the local authority designated officer (LADO) and to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
national
Accepted
Themes and lessons learnt from NHS investigations into matters relating … — Rec R5
All NHS hospital trusts should undertake regular reviews of: - their safeguarding resources, structures and processes (including their training programmes); and - the behaviours and responsiveness of management and staff in relation to safeguarding issues to ensure that their arrangements are robust and operate as effectively as possible.
national
Accepted
Detention Investigations (4)
Independent Investigation into Concerns about Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre — Rec R26
In consultation with the LSCB, managers should review the training of staff in relation to safeguarding and child protection to ensure that they are given regular training to help them understand and meet their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children.
Immigration Detention
Independent Investigation into Concerns about Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre — Rec R25
In consultation with the LSCB, managers should review and redraft Yarl’s Wood’s child protection and safeguarding policies to ensure that they clearly and consistently identify the extent of staff responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children, including children in the community, and conform to the requirements of the …
Immigration Detention
Independent Investigation into Concerns about Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre — Rec R24
Managers at Yarl’s Wood should actively engage with the local authority safeguarding team and the safeguarding adults board and ensure establish appropriate and ongoing information sharing to secure the safeguarding of residents.
Immigration Detention
Independent Investigation into Concerns about Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre — Rec R23
Managers at Yarl’s Wood, in consultation with the local safeguarding adults board, should devise appropriate adult safeguarding policy and practice, including staff training.
Immigration Detention
LGO / SPSO Decisions (138)
25-014-003 — Hertfordshire County Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
25-014-636 — Worcestershire County Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
25-013-452 — Isle of Wight Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
25-013-104 — Hampshire County Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
25-016-558 — Leeds City Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
NIPSO-202001708 & 202002322 — South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
We investigated concerns about how a Health Trust dealt with allegations of an intimate relationship between two care home residents. Our report criticised the Trust for not doing a more thorough investigation into the claims, and asked it to carry out an audit of previous safeguarding referrals.
NIPSO (NI Public Service…
Health & Social Care
Upheld
Dec 2023
NIPSO-202000387 — Western Health and Social Care Trust
The Western Trust approved two special chairs for an autistic child to use in school without properly assessing his needs. The Trust should also have given the school clearer instructions on how the chairs were to be used.
NIPSO (NI Public Service…
Health & Social Care
Upheld
Oct 2024
21-013-693 — Nottinghamshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the outcome of the Council’s safeguarding enquiry after he raised a concern that his brother was being financially abused. This is because there is no sign of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Mar 2022
21-011-045 — East Sussex County Council
Summary: Dr B complained ESC Council and the NHS Trust failed to properly safeguard her when it undertook an investigation into allegations of physical assault when she lived in a care home jointly funded by the CCG and BHC Council. She also complained about the home’s investigation and its decision …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
Mar 2022
21-016-767 — Devon County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s safeguarding investigation. There is not sufficient evidence of fault by the Council to justify investigating.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Mar 2022
21-007-746 — London Borough of Bexley
Summary: Miss X complained on behalf of her mother, Mrs Y, that the Council wrongly initiated a safeguarding enquiry because of non-payment of care home charges. Miss X says she tried to resolve the issue, but the Council did not properly communicate with her. Miss X says the Council’s actions …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Not Upheld
Mar 2022
21-006-887 — Birmingham City Council
Summary: Mr X complained about the way the Council dealt with a safeguarding report about his mother. We found there was fault in the Council’s actions that warranted a remedy. We also found fault in the way the Council responded to the complaint.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
Apr 2022
21-018-769 — Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council mistakenly sending the complainant a copy of a confidential internal email about him, the contents of which he disputes. This is because the Council has apologised for the error. There is no on-going injustice and nothing for us to add …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Apr 2022
21-000-088 — Bristol City Council
Summary: Ms C, who was a Shared Lives Carer, complained about the way in which the Council responded to allegations made against her. I found the Council failed to effectively communicate with Ms C and there was a delay in completing the safeguarding enquiry. The Council has agreed to apologise …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
May 2022
21-008-511 — Telford & Wrekin Council
Summary: Ms Z, on behalf of Mr X, complained about the Council’s actions in respect of a Care Act assessment and its failure to properly communicate with him about this causing distress. There is evidence of fault as the Council delayed in providing the care package, failed to provide full …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
May 2022
22-003-796 — Buckinghamshire Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled safeguarding concerns relating to Mrs Y’s actions around her son’s (Mr X’s) finances, care and medical needs. Any fault in its actions did not cause the injustice Mrs Y claims it did.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Jul 2022
22-003-795 — Brighton & Hove City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled safeguarding concerns relating to Mrs Y’s actions around her son’s (Mr X’s) finances, care and medical needs. Any fault in its actions did not cause the injustice Mrs Y claims it did.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Jul 2022
21-011-791 — City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Summary: Mrs X complained about various aspects of the way the Council considered a Safeguarding Adult Review. We found there was delay and fault in the process. We recommended a payment to Mrs X and Mr Y and various actions to review process and procedures.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
Nov 2022
22-001-645 — Suffolk County Council
Summary: Mr B complained the Council discharged his father in to his and his mother’s care despite them not agreeing to care for him. He said this put his mother at risk of harm from abuse and physical injury. He complained the Council did not provide support or respite. He …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
Nov 2022
23-018-925 — Thurrock Council
Summary: We ended the investigation of Mrs X’s complaints about a council-run care home because they are late. And complaints about a GP and about access to records are not for the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. Mrs X needs to raise these matters with the Information Commissioner and …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Jun 2024
25-006-764 — West Sussex County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s actions in its children’s services involvement with his family. This is because there is no sign of fault in the Council’s decision not to consider his complaint whilst the case is subject to ongoing court proceedings
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
Sep 2025
25-005-770 — Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council providing insufficient support to Ms X and its communication with her daughter. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council and there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by us investigating.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Sep 2025
25-000-919 — Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to meet Mrs Y’s care needs. Ms X says this impacted Mrs Y’s physical health and emotional wellbeing. We find no fault with the Council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Not Upheld
Nov 2025
25-004-457 — London Borough of Brent
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X and Ms Y’s complaint about their mother, Ms Z. Due the length of time which has passed, we are unlikely to be able to reach reliable conclusions or achieve meaningful outcomes for Ms X, Ms Y and Ms Z.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Nov 2025
25-001-276 — Suffolk County Council
Summary: Mrs C complained about the way the Council carried out a safeguarding investigation into concerns she raised against a care provider looking after her relative, Mrs E and counter-concerns raised by the Care Provider. We found some fault in the way the Council communicated with Mrs C about the …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
Nov 2025
25-012-670 — Essex County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint the Council failed to respond properly to adult safeguarding concerns. That is because the complaint it late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion and consider it now.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Nov 2025
24-009-726 — Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) service. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing significant injustice. The ICO is better suited to considering Mr X’s data retention concerns.
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
Nov 2024
24-011-452 — City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s involvement in the care of Ms X’s child. This is because it is about matters that have happened in court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
Nov 2024
24-006-533 — Surrey County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about adult safeguarding. The Council has accepted fault and will apologise and act to improve future service. We are satisfied with the Council’s actions in response to the complaint. It is unlikely we could add to the Council’s investigation or reach a different …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
Nov 2024
23-020-569 — Cambridgeshire County Council
Summary: Mr Y complains about the Council’s involvement with various aspects of his mother’s care and support following her discharge from hospital in 2023. Some of the complaints raised by Mr Y are on behalf of his mother, Mrs W. Mr Y does not have authority to represent a complaint …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
Dec 2024
24-011-576 — Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council removed his relative from his care and investigated under its safeguarding procedures. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. We are unlikely to …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Dec 2024
25-014-548 — Oxfordshire County Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
25-011-746 — Birmingham City Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
25-013-137 — Portsmouth City Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
NIPSO-202001973 — Western Health and Social Care Trust
A woman complained that her daughter, who had autism, anxiety and depression, was not cared for properly during her 7 months stay in a children’s home.
NIPSO (NI Public Service…
Health & Social Care
Dec 2023
25-010-732 — Kent County Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
20-011-656 — Cornwall Council
Summary: There was delay in the support the Council had agreed to provide to Mr C, particularly in managing his finances. There was poor communication with Mrs B and the Council should have held a multi-disciplinary risk meeting earlier. Mrs B suffered an injustice as a result as she was …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
Mar 2022
21-017-818 — London Borough of Sutton
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council completed safeguarding enquiries into his late mother’s care. That is because there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
May 2022
21-009-619 — Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: Ms B complains the Council initiated a safeguarding investigation into unfounded allegations of financial abuse against a service user, Mr Y. She says the Council suspended her direct payments and her bank accounts were frozen, leaving her destitute. The Ombudsman does not find fault in how the Council conducted …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Not Upheld
Jul 2022
21-009-445 — Thurrock Council
Summary: X complained about poor service and poor communication from the Council’s adult social care teams. The Council was at fault. It did not respond appropriately to reported safeguarding concerns, did not comply with an agreed reasonable adjustment and communicated with X poorly. The Council has agreed to consider the …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
Jul 2022
21-004-089 — London Borough of Havering
Summary: There was no fault in the Council’s safeguarding investigation. There was fault by the Council when it failed to follow up Mrs B’s request to see oral hygiene charts and to meet with her to discuss its investigation. The Council has agreed to take the action recommended to remedy …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
Jul 2022
22-005-921 — Torbay Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council completed safeguarding enquiries. That is because we could not add to the Council’s previous investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Aug 2022
23-018-620 — Dorset Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s Child Protection assessment. This is because there is not enough evidence of injustice to warrant an investigation and we could not achieve the outcomes Mr X seeks
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
Apr 2024
23-018-479 — Lancashire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of a social worker leading up to an Initial Child Protection Conference. This is because there are other bodies better placed to consider this complaint.
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
Apr 2024
23-018-808 — London Borough of Ealing
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a reported safeguarding concern. This is because there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Apr 2024
23-018-763 — Staffordshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about adult social care in a residential care home. The complainant alleges neglect, which would be more appropriately investigated by the relevant safeguarding authority or by a court. The person using the service has died so we can achieve no personal remedy for …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Apr 2024
23-004-664 — London Borough of Barnet
Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s actions under its child protection procedures. We found fault because the Council used incorrect wording in assessments, misinterpreted some documentation and did not give Mr X enough time to review paperwork before a child protection conference. This caused Mr X avoidable distress and …
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
Upheld
Apr 2024
23-019-619 — Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about alleged abuse suffered in school, as well as the Council failing to offer alternative education provision. This is because we have no jurisdiction to investigate what happens in schools. Further, the complaint refers to events in 1998 and so is historical. We …
LGO (Local Government & …
Children S Care Services
Apr 2024
23-011-292 — London Borough of Hounslow
Summary: Mrs B complained the Council failed to provide satisfactory care to her uncle, Mr C. The Council’s safeguarding enquiry found that acts of neglect and omission had occurred in Mr C’s care. This is fault, which caused Mr C injustice. We found the Council has not properly addressed the …
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Upheld
Apr 2024
24-023-397 — Surrey County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint alleging an officer did not keep information confidential. This is because there is no evidence of fault with the Council’s response.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Jun 2025