Overview
The complainant, Ms C, complained on behalf of her sister (Ms A) that Inverclyde Council (the Council)'s Social Work Department had failed to respond appropriately to concerns raised about the behaviour of Ms A's former partner towards their children. Ms C pursued this through the Council's complaint procedure and made written and oral submissions to a Complaints Review Committee (the CRC). The CRC did not uphold Ms C's complaint.
Specific complaint and conclusion
The complaint which has been investigated is that the CRC's consideration of this matter was inadequate and did not take into account all relevant evidence (not upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council:
- (i) ensure that guidance to CRC members and relevant staff clearly indicates the importance of careful drafting in the report, to ensure that the decision is fully recorded;
- (ii) ensure that, in future, any extension to the time limits, as set out in the Directions, is agreed by the parties; and
- (iii) apologise to Ms C for the failings identified in this report.
The Council have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.