London Borough of Redbridge (24 014 495)
Category : Children's care services > Child protection
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 30 Jan 2025
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council failed to act on safeguarding information it received regarding his child, Y. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault.
The complaint
- Mr X complained the Council failed to act on safeguarding information it received regarding his child, Y.
- Mr X says the matter caused him frustration and distress.
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.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council failed to act on safeguarding information it received about his child, Y.
- In its complaint response, the Council explained actions it had taken in response to Mr X’s concerns. It explained it had previously conducted a child protection investigation and completed a Child and Family Assessment. The assessment concluded there were no safeguarding concerns. The Council said no other professionals had concerns about Y’s safety. Therefore, it did not uphold Mr X’s complaint.
- There is insufficient evidence of fault in the Council’s actions to warrant an investigation by the Ombudsman, and we will not investigate Mr X’s complaint.
- Part of Mr X’s complaint relates to the care of his child in the care of their other parent. Mr X said Y’s other parent has not allowed contact. The Council has no active involvement with Y and has no power to force Y’s other parent to allow contact. Only a court can make this decision. The Council signposted Mr X to seek legal advice and initiate private court action. This is the correct course of action.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman