Cornwall Council

The Ombudsman's final decision

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about social care support provided by the Council. This is because this is not enough evidence of fault to warrant our involvement.

The complaint

Mrs X complained a care home lost her belongings. She said she is waiting for the Council to allocate her a Social Worker. She said she wants the Council to help her get a wheelchair and move to a new care home.

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 not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

How I considered this complaint

I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.

I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

My assessment

We will not investigate this complaint. During my enquiries the Council explained it discussed Mrs X’s concerns with her including property she believed the care home to have lost. It said she was supported by the Duty Team whilst waiting to allocate a social worker.

It confirmed it has now allocated Mrs X a social worker who will who will undertake a review of her care and support needs. It also referred her the wheelchair service.

The Council responded to Mrs X’s concerns and actioned her requests. Therefore, there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant our involvement.

Final decision

We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant our involvement.

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman