Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the conduct of a Council officer at a school attendance meeting in 2019. There is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Miss X said a Council officer was threatening during a school attendance meeting.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. The matter complained of happened in 2019 and Miss X was aware of it from the time it happened. Even allowing for the effect on Miss X of her child’s anxieties, it would have reasonable for her to approach us much sooner.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because there is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate this late matter now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman