The role of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is to investigate complaints made against local authorities. This includes complaints made regarding children’s services. The Ombudsman is appointed by Parliament. It is independent of local authorities.
All stages of the local authority’s own complaints’ procedure must be exhausted before a complaint can be made to the Ombudsman (unless you have not received a response in a reasonable time).
The Ombudsman should look into the complaint if:
- The problem has not been put right following a complaint to children’s services; and
- It appears that there has been an injustice.