Summary
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council handled concerns he raised about his child. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault in how the Council made its decision and we cannot question the outcome.
The complaint
Mr X complained the Council had not followed safeguarding procedures for concerns he had about his child (Y). He said the Council minimised the seriousness of his concerns and was not objective.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints of injustice caused by ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. I have used the word fault to refer to these. We consider whether there was fault in the way an organisation made its decision. If there was no fault in how the organisation made its decision, we cannot question the outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), 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
Mr X told the Council about concerns he had relating to Y. After Mr X contacted the Council he attended a meeting arranged by the Council. It then arranged to carry out an assessment.
As part of the assessment process, the Council acknowledged and incorporated Mr X’s views and concerns. In addition, it recorded views of other professionals involved with Y, including education professionals. It also spoke to Y and Mr X’s estranged partner. Additionally, the family worker recorded their views as part of the assessment.
The Council completed the assessment and shared a copy with Mr X. The Council decided there was no need for safeguarding and identified how the family could be supported. A manager agreed this. The Council has also responded to other contacts Mr X made.
Given the Council’s actions here, we will not investigate. There is not sufficient evidence of fault in the way the Council completed the assessment or made its decisions to justify investigation.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault in how the Council made its decision and we cannot question the outcome.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman