London Borough of Bexley (25 014 162)

Statement Upheld Other 21-Jul-2026

Summary: The Council was at fault for considering Mr X’s complaint through the wrong process (the children’s statutory complaints procedure). It then failed to properly consider the complaint at stage two and stage three of the children’s statutory complaints procedure in line with the relevant law and statutory guidance. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mr X, pay him a financial remedy and reconsider his complaint. It has also agreed to create an action plan to prevent similar fault occurring in the future.

Westminster City Council (25 007 659)

Statement Upheld Other 21-Jul-2026

Summary: Ms B complained that the Council delayed in completing a stage two investigation of her complaint about children’s services. We found the Council delayed by about five months which has caused Ms B frustration. The Council has offered to make a symbolic payment of £150 which we consider is a reasonable remedy. It has also agreed to complete the investigation and apologise to her.

Southend-on-Sea City Council (26 009 662)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 21-Jul-2026

Summary: We will not investigate X’s complaint about the Council’s involvement with a child. This is because there is no sign of fault in the Council’s decision not to investigate their complaint because X does not have parental responsibility for the child.

Kent County Council (25 022 165)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 20-Jul-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council did not check its records to confirm if Mr X had parental responsibility, failed to consult him when undertaking assessments and failed to safeguard his child. This is because it is unlikely an investigation would add to the Council’s response, there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation, and it is unlikely we will find fault.

Telford & Wrekin Council (26 010 484)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 20-Jul-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint about the actions of a children’s services social worker. The law prevents us from investigating matters which are subject to court proceedings. In any case, Miss X’s concerns would be better placed with Social Work England.

London Borough of Ealing (25 012 878)

Statement Upheld Other 19-Jul-2026

Summary: Miss X complained about the way the Council dealt with respite support for her and her children. There was no fault in the way the Council completed the statutory procedure, but it failed to make a payment agreed as part of this process. This caused Miss X further frustration. The Council should apologise and provide evidence of payment.

Staffordshire County Council (25 023 728)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 19-Jul-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to end its involvement with his family following an assessment because there is insufficient evidence of fault to warrant an investigation. Mr X’s complaint about the content of the assessment is better suited to the Information Commissioner’s Office. We will not investigate the Council’s complaints handling because the tests in our Assessment Code are not met.

Staffordshire County Council (26 010 171)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 19-Jul-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about information the Council provided during court proceedings. This is because the law prevents us from investigating complaints about what happens in court. 

West Sussex County Council (26 006 810)

Statement Upheld Other 16-Jul-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions relating to special guardians and kinship care support. The Council has already investigated the complaint under the three-stage Children Act 1989 complaint procedure. We could not add to the investigation the Council has already carried out and further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

Worcestershire County Council (26 009 087)

Statement Upheld Other 15-Jul-2026

Summary: We have upheld Mrs X’s complaint about delays in the children’s statutory complaints process. The Council agreed to resolve the complaint early by paying Mrs X a symbolic remedy to recognise her injustice and complete its investigation.