The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of social workers during a Care Act assessment. This is because there is another body better suited to look at Mr X’s complaint about professional practice.
The complaint
Mr X said he as unhappy with how the Council initially considered his request for a Care Act assessment and he said; there were delays and inaccuracies in the initial recording of a meeting; a social worker was unprofessional, and; their initial records were not thorough enough as to his conditions.
Mr X said this had a significant negative impact on him and he now wants the Council to ensure it learns the lessons from his complaint.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide there is another body better placed to consider this complaint. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr X and I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X complained after he obtained information from the Council after his meeting with two social workers involved in his Care Act assessment. Mr X said he did not believe it was comprehensive enough.
Given the nature of Mr X’s complaint and his desired outcome, we will not investigate this complaint. This is because Social Work England, as a regulatory body are better suited to investigate his complaint about professional conduct.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is another body better suited to look at it.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman