A ‘creaking' system for redressing complaints over children's services could be overhauled to focus on serving the best interests of vulnerable young people, a report issued this week has suggested.

A paper from the Local Government Ombudsman issued today questions if pressures on the statutory basis for handling complaints in children's careservices helped ensure the best outcomes for young people.

Entitled ‘Are we getting the best from children's social care complaints' the focus report's survey of councils found the process is best when independent, imposes strict time limits for action and has clear guidelines on who can complain.