Ombudsman
Ombudsman calls for 'level playing field'
‘Weak’ social care providers are avoiding public accountability, the local government ombudsman has said.
Complaint handling: a code for positive change
The Housing Ombudsman Service has produced a new complaint handling code setting clear expectations for senior executives and frontline staff. Richard Blakeway explains.
Ombudsman makes 12% more service improvement recommendations
Increasing systemic problems identified in residents’ complaints has led to the Local Government Ombudsman making more wider service improvement recommendations to councils than ever before.
Mistakes on homelessness are making matters worse, says Ombudsman
Problems with the way councils are meeting their housing duties are making things worse for homeless people, the Ombudsman found.
Ombudsman creates specialist coronavirus unit ahead of complaints service reopening
A specialist unit has been created to deal with coronavirus complaints by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman as it resumes its work.
Ombudsman suspends cases
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has suspended all cases that require input from councils and care providers.
Jenrick urges councils not to delay on coronavirus spending
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick this week urged council leaders not to put off decisions because of money in their response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Medway caves after Ombudsman rap
Medway Council has finally accepted the recommendations in a Local Government Ombudsman public interest report after a two-year stand-off.
Council loses legal challenge to ombudsman
A legal challenge to a critical report by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has been lost by Rochdale MBC.
Call for dedicated social care appeals
Fewer than one in five councils have a dedicated appeals process for social care, according to new research.
Ombudsman censures Bexley over response to complaint
Bexley LBC has come under heavy criticism from the Local Government Ombudsman after failing to make agreed improvements to school transport applications for disabled children.
HEALTH MJ: More elderly people have to sell homes to fund long-term care
Around 400 pensioners sell their homes each week to pay for social care, according to the latest research.
Nine in 10 complaints about SEND provision upheld by Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is receiving more complaints about education, health and care plans (EHCP) than ever before – and the vast majority are being upheld.
Care complaints becoming 'ever more serious'
The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) is having to carry out a higher proportion of detailed investigations, suggesting complaints about adult care are becoming ‘ever more serious’.
Preserving the delicate balance
Bob Neill says that in too many cases the delicate balance between recovering what is owed to councils and providing a duty of care to the vulnerable is not being achieved.
Brum bin apology
Birmingham City Council has agreed to apologise to 17 people after the Local Government Ombudsman criticised it for repeated missed bin collections.
Children's services, adult social care top list of complaints
Most complaints about councils received by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO) in 2018/19 concerned education, children’s services and adult social care.
Ombudsman warns councils over hidden disabilities
Councils are being urged to check their procedures to avoid disadvantaging people with ‘hidden disabilities’ following Ombudsman investigations at three London authorities.
Ombudsman reprimands council over support for vulnerable people
Councils have been reminded of their obligations to support vulnerable people by the Ombudsman after Suffolk CC halted assessments for a deafblind couple’s care plans because of a dispute.
MPs express 'sympathy' over Ombudsman's funding plea
MPs have backed calls to boost funding for the stretched Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in the face of Whitehall resistance.
