Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about who the care home chose to admit. This is because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about the care home admitting a resident who took money from him many years ago. Mr X is concerned about this individual being in proximity to other care home residents and says the care home should have more stringent admission policies.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We do not start or may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide there is no enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

5. If Mr X is concerned about someone stealing money from him, he should report this to the Police as a criminal matter. In terms of the Ombudsman’s remit there is not a relevant matter for us to investigate. It is up to the care home who it chooses to admit and there is no evidence of fault warranting an investigation by the Ombudsman.

Back to top

Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is no evidence of fault.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman