Ombudsman
Ombudsman: Care system failing to deliver
Funding problems rather than individual errors explain a ‘relentless rise’ in the proportion of social care complaints upheld by the local government ombudsman, the watchdog has said.
Complaints’ outcomes are open for all of us to shape
This summer’s snapshot of complaints trends paints a ‘fascinating picture’, says local government and social care ombudsman Michael King.
Review highlights 'widening cracks' in council complaints systems
The local government ombudsman has warned about the erosion to the way complaints are being handled by councils.
Council criticised for increasing care admin costs 200%
The London Borough of Bexley has agreed to revise its social care charging policy after the administration costs for one resident’s care increased 200%.
Bristol apologises for ‘distress’ caused by mishandling of complaints
Bristol City Council has apologised after being criticised for failing to provide evidence it had completed Ombudsman recommendations in two separate complaints.
Councils must meet their SEND legal duties
No matter how tight budgets are, councils still need to be held to account for how they are discharging their statutory SEND duties, says Catriona Moore.
County to review its SEN services following ombudsman investigation
Hampshire County Council has agreed to reviews its SEN services following an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Ombudsman warns over council buck-passing
Councils have been warned against ‘passing the buck’ in cross-border child protection cases by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
New guidance to help councils scrutinise services for children in care
Councils have been urged to review their services for looked after children after a report highlighted variation in practice across the country.
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.
