Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s care of Ms X’s child. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant investigation.

The complaint

1. Ms X said the Council had not cared properly for her child. She made claims about the actions of a social worker. She wanted her child returned to her.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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))

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. The claims made by Ms X about the social worker were unusual, couched in terms that were also unusual. I have not specified them because doing so would risk identifying Ms X. The claims made and Ms X’s reference to recent medical treatment would suggest that she might be unwell. It is unlikely that investigation by us would substantiate such claims.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant it.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman