Liverpool City Council (24 006 765)
Category : Other Categories > Other
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 18 Sep 2024
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to refer Mr X under its Managed Contact Policy. This is because there is no evidence to suggest fault by the Council sufficient to warrant an investigation.
The complaint
- Mr X complains about the Council’s decision to refer him under its Managed Contact Policy which can place restrictions on contact with the Council.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- We investigate complaints of injustice caused by ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’ which we call ‘fault’. We consider whether there was fault in the way an organisation made its decision. If there was no fault in how the organisation made its decision, we cannot question the outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), as amended)
- 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, including its response to his complaint.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- The Council made a decision to refer Mr X under its Managed Contact Policy following his actions in relation to an officer dealing with his case.
- While Mr X may not agree with the Council’s decision to refer him, it is not our role to act as a point of appeal against the decision. We cannot question council decisions if they have followed the right steps and considered the relevant evidence and information.
- The Council has explained to Mr X why it referred him under the Policy and I have seen no evidence to suggest fault affected the decision.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is no evidence to suggest fault by the Council sufficient to warrant an investigation.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman