The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to stop Mrs X’s adoption allowance. This is because it is late.
The complaint
Mrs X complains the Council: Did not provide full details of her son’s health needs prior to his adoption in 2021; and Stopped her adoption allowance in June 2022.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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 Mrs X and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mrs X’s complaint about the Council not providing full information about her son’s health needs is late, and I consider there are no good reasons to investigate now.
The Council stopped Mrs X’s adoption allowance in June 2022. This is over 12 months ago and so is also late. Mrs X says her back and forth contact with the Council delayed her bringing a complaint to the Ombudsman.
However, our published information makes clear a complaint may be brought to us once a council has had 12 weeks to respond. Therefore, there is no good reason to investigate it now.
In July 2023, a third party requested a review of the Council’s decision to stop Mrs X’s adoption allowance. The Council is now considering this. If Mrs X is unhappy with the outcome of the review she is able to make a new complaint to us if she wishes.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman