Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about care provided to Mrs X’s children during a short period of fostering. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant our further involvement.

The complaint

1. Mrs X said there were multiple incidents causing harm to her children during a short period in foster care.

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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 Council supplied a confidential copy of a standard of care report written in response to the allegations made by Mrs X. This considered all the allegations made. It found all the allegations were unsubstantiated, with reasons given that were based on evidence. Having acted properly in investigating, the Council was entitled to reach this view.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council to warrant our further involvement.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman