Recommendation 3

We welcome the work of the PHSO and LGSCO to improve public awareness about their work. It is important that people are aware that there is a free and independent ombud that can consider their complaints outside the courts, including those concerning their human rights. Outreach work is an important part of building public awareness, as vulnerable and hard to reach communities may be less aware of their human rights and the complaints processes available. Despite the efforts made by the PHSO and LGSCO, it is clear that public awareness could be higher. To improve public awareness the PHSO and LGSCO should ensure they are effectively conducting outreach work with vulnerable communities and those who do not usually engage with their work. They should also collect and publish data to analyse whether outreach work has been successful in increasing public awareness.