The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. That is because the body he complains about is not within our jurisdiction.
The complaint
Mr X complained about an organisation (the Organisation) that had been providing support to his daughter.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about councils and certain other bodies. Where an individual, organisation or private company is providing services on behalf of a council, we can investigate complaints about the actions of these providers. (Local Government Act 1974, section 25(7), as amended) We cannot investigate a complaint where the body complained about is not responsible for the issue being raised. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(1), 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
The Council has confirmed the Organisation is not a Council service. It also confirmed it did not commission the services of the Organisation. As the Organisation is not the responsibility of the Council, nor was it acting on the Council’s behalf, we have no jurisdiction to investigate its actions.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the body he complains about is not within our jurisdiction.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman