Summary: We will not investigate this complaint from Mr X concerning his ex-girlfriend, Miss Y, not being allowed to see him. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. We are unlikely to find evidence of fault in the Council’s decision not to investigate.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about the Council’s failure to investigate his complaint that Ms Y’s family is preventing him from seeing him.
2. Mr X used to act as Ms Y’s carer before she was removed from his care after he went into hospital.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if we decide the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
4. We do not start 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

5. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

7. The Council has not investigated Mr X’s complaint. This is due to confidential information that supersedes Mr X’s concerns and cannot be shared with him.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman