Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to provide support for her disabled child. Miss X said this impacted her mental and physical health. She said she was promised support and did not get it. We have discontinued our investigation into this complaint. This is because the Council will address this complaint through the statutory complaints procedure.

The complaint

1. Miss X complained the Council failed to provide support for her disabled child.
2. Miss X said this impacted her mental and physical health. She said she is scared she will lose custody of her child if she has another breakdown. She said she was promised support and did not get it. She has lost trust in the Council.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word fault to refer to these. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions an organisation has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), as amended)
4. It is our decision whether to start, and when to end an investigation into something the law allows us to investigate. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered the information and documents provided by Miss X and the Council. Miss X and the Council had an opportunity to comment on an earlier draft of this statement. I considered all comments received before I reached a final decision.

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What I found

6. Miss X complained to the Council that it had failed to provide support for her disabled child.
7. The Council said Miss X’s case was going through court. The Council said Miss X should raise any concerns with her solicitor.
8. Miss X complained to the Ombudsman.
9. The Council told the Ombudsman that it will take Miss X’s complaint through the statutory children’s complaints procedure. We consider this is appropriate. For this reason, further Ombudsman involvement at this stage is not appropriate or necessary.
10. If Miss X is dissatisfied with the outcome of the statutory complaints procedure, she can make a fresh complaint to the Ombudsman.

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Final decision

11. I have discontinued my investigation. This is because the Council will take Miss X’s complaint through the statutory children’s complaints procedure.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman