The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s alleged failure to provide financial assistance to Mr X in relation to his status as a foster carer. This is because the complaint relates to events that took place more than 12 months ago; it would have been reasonable for Mr X to bring the complaint to us at the time.
The complaint
Mr X complained the Council advised that he would receive financial support to care for his foster children however the Council stopped the payments.
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 Mr X and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X complained to the Council regarding its decision to stop payments he was receiving whilst working as a temporary foster carer in January 2023.
The Council explained that it stopped the payments after an independent panel decided not to approve Mr X’s application to be a permanent foster carer. The Council therefore stopped the payments in April 2023. The Council advised it provided Mr X with his appeal rights at the time, but he did not appeal its decision.
Mr X has brought his complaint to the Ombudsman because he is unhappy the payments stopped. The evidence shows this matter relates to events that took place more than 12 months ago; it would therefore have been reasonable for Mr X to bring the complaint to us at the time. The Ombudsman will not usually exercise discretion to investigate matters that took place this long ago unless there are good reasons to do so.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the complaint relates to events that took place more than 12 months ago; it would have been reasonable for Mr X to bring the complaint to us at the time.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman